Norway child abuse case: MEA assures help, families likely to appeal verdict

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that the Indian embassy in Norway was in constant touch with the Indian couple from Andhra Pradesh sentenced to jail for alleged child abuse. A statement by the MEA said, "Our embassy in Norway has been in touch with the Indian nationals involved in the case. Even during the course of their detention, the consular officer has been in touch with them. We will continue to render necessary consular assistance and will be in touch with their lawyer."

The couple, Chandrashekar Vallabhaneni, a software professional, and his wife Anupama, were sentenced to 18 and 15 months in jail respectively. The court convicted them of burning their child with a hot spoon and hitting the 7-year-old with a belt. The charges against them were from 2007 to March 2012.

The couple's families, however, are in grief and have said that they will appeal in a higher court. "Really it's a distracting situation for our family members. We might be appealing in the higher court. We are going to discuss with the lawyer. The neighbours and the witnesses are going to discuss on this," said V Shailendra, Chandrashekar's nephew.

The Indian couple from Andhra Pradesh was sentenced to jail in Norway on Tuesday over charges of child abuse.

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