Swiss couple flee India

from Upali Rupasinghe in New Delhi

A Swiss couple alleged to have committed paedophilia in Sri Lanka, Thailand and several other Asian countries and found guilty for same in March 2003 by a Mumbai sessions court - have fled India.

The couple, Wilhelm and Lile Marti were nabbed by the Mumbai police from a suburban hotel room with two minor streetgirls, preparing them for pornography images in December 2000.

In March 2003, a sessions court found the couple guilty and sentenced them to seven years rigorous imprisonment and payment of Rs. 5,000 as compensation to each of their victims.

However, after the order the Bombay High Court accepted an offer by the couple to pay a Rs. 1 lakh compensation to each victims in return for being set free.

In April 2004, the Mumbai Attorney General challenged it in Supreme Court and the High Court order was stayed. The Supreme Court also granted bail on the couple.

Before the matter came for further hearing the couple have fled the country. But the two passports are still lying with the Mumbai's session court.

It was through the Swiss Embassy, the police have come to know about their departure.