Remember me
The wife of an electrician convicted of raping a grandmother while he was meant to be fitting solar panels at her home has taken a defiant stand, proclaiming her husband is innocent.
Indian-born Amol Vijay Dhumal, 45, was recently jailed for five years for sexually assaulting the then 75-year-old in her Mount Colah home in Sydney's north-west in April 2024.
The elderly woman told the court that Dhumal told her his wife never had sex with him, and then grabbed her, assaulting her in the lounge room as she cried: 'You've got to be kidding'.
A NSW District Court jury found Dhumal guilty of the woman's traumatising rape last September. But this week, Dhumal's wife, Gouri, was still angrily protesting her husband's innocence.
'I know my husband is innocent so I don't want to talk about it,' said Ms Dhumal, who is raising twin boys on her own, including one who has autism.
'Just respect my privacy because there is no one around us that is helping. I'm in a stressful situation because there is no help from any community.'
Dhumal had been sent to the victim's house to install solar panels with his two colleagues, before returning alone two days later to fix a problem with her power.
He maintains he then had consensual sex with the elderly woman.
Amol Vijay Dhumal raped the grandmother in her home after helping install solar panels
He blamed the attack on his wife Gouri and told the victim his wife never had sex with him
The attack occurred at a Mount Colah address in north-western Sydney in 2024
However, that claim was disavowed by a jury of his peers - who agreed with the prosecution case that Dhumal raped the woman and 'employed a level of force in holding her down and lifting her legs to do so'.
DNA tests confirmed his semen was found in her underwear.
When the Daily Mail approached Ms Dhumal at home in Sydney's west, she could be seen helping her two young sons out of the family car.
Their sons' medical history formed a large part of Dhumal's applications to the court into why he should be allowed out on bail.
One of the twins has been clinically diagnosed with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder - the most severe form of the condition - and requires 'substantial and ongoing support.'
The court was also told the other twin has a significant speech delay which requires 'consistent speech therapy and active parental engagement to encourage language development and social confidence.'
The letter argued against Dhumal's incarceration and said 'the absence of either parent may adversely affect the children's emotional wellbeing and therapeutic progress.'
In a character reference letter addressed to Judge Craig Everson SC on December 3, Ms Dhumal said her husband was a 'respectful, responsible, hardworking and kind person.'
She confirmed she was aware of the 'sexual intercourse without consent' charge levelled against him and described him as a 'loyal and caring husband.'
Mrs Dhumal could be seen to be helping her sons out of the car after telling the Daily Mail 'there is no one around us that is helping'
Dhumal's defence team argued he should be allowed to live at home to help care for the children - one of whom requires 'substantial and ongoing support'
She said she was 'in a stressful situation because there is no help from any community'
'He fulfills his marital responsibilities with sincerity, respect, and commitment,' she wrote.
'He has always been supportive, understanding and responsible towards me.
'As a father, Amol is loving, responsible, and deeply dedicated to our children, one of whom has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder level 3, and he handles the challenges that come with remarkable patience and compassion.'
The couple are believed to have met 13 years ago.
Dhumal's wife was in court for her husband's sentencing, and although she didn't want to comment on the rape, she told the court: 'My husband is loving and respectful.'
A psychological report prepared for Dhumal's sentencing noted the couple speak on the phone two to three times a day.
The woman was raped in her lounge room by Dhumal (stock image)
'He also added that his friends are also supportive, and he is very appreciative of this during this challenging period in his life,' the report found.
'He plans to appeal his charge if he is found guilty and will attempt to "take this to the Supreme Court if necessary".'
'He added this is especially important for him as he needs to get back home to help with his children's upbringing, especially his child with ASD, and because he is the primary provider of financial support for the family.'
The report also found he was 'deeply committed to re-establishing his role as the primary financial (breadwinner) for his family.'
It comes as the elderly woman's 1,549-word victim impact statement revealed the impact on her has been catastrophic.
The 76-year-old, who was left too rattled to be in court with Dhumal when he was sentenced, said she'd been 'not living, but only existing' since the attack.
She said she still lives in fear despite the fact Dhumal is behind bars.
'This is the most torturous tragedy of my life. I'm in prison in my own home,' she told the court.
Judge Craig Everson SC sentenced Dhumal to five years in prison
Only the woman's son knew about the sexual assault. She kept the attack from her grandchildren because, 'I like to protect them especially, they have young minds.'
'I wanted them to grow up and embrace multiculturalism in their schools, neighbourhood, in their communities and among their friends,' she wrote.
'I keep away my relatives, friends and all church and community activities, for the reason that I keep on breaking down.
'At times I was thinking, why am I still here? When I try to sleep, I've said to myself, I wish I don't wake up anymore.'
Dhumal will be eligible for parole in April 2030.
He has lodged an appeal but will remain behind bars in the meantime.