Electrician’s Wife Proclaims Husband’s Innocence
The wife of Amol Vijay Dhumal, a 45-year-old Indian-born electrician convicted of raping a 75-year-old woman during a solar panel installation at her Sydney home, has publicly asserted his innocence. Gouri Dhumal expressed her firm belief in her husband’s lack of guilt while facing the challenges of single parenthood.
The Assault and Conviction
In April 2024, Dhumal arrived at the victim’s residence in Mount Colah, north-western Sydney, initially with two colleagues to install solar panels. He returned alone two days later to address a power issue. During this visit, he allegedly informed the woman that his wife never engaged in sexual activity with him before grabbing her and assaulting her in the lounge room. The victim recounted crying out, ‘You’ve got to be kidding,’ as the attack unfolded.
A New South Wales District Court jury convicted Dhumal of the rape in September 2025, rejecting his claim of consensual encounter. Prosecutors argued he used force to hold her down and lift her legs. Forensic evidence, including DNA from his semen in the victim’s underwear, supported the case. Judge Craig Everson SC sentenced Dhumal to five years in prison, with parole eligibility in April 2030. Dhumal has filed an appeal and remains incarcerated.
Wife’s Defiant Response
Gouri Dhumal, who attended her husband’s sentencing, told the court, ‘My husband is loving and respectful.’ Approached at her home in western Sydney, she was observed assisting her young twin sons from the family car. She stated, ‘I know my husband is innocent so I don’t want to talk about it. 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.’
In a character reference letter to Judge Everson dated December 3, 2025, Gouri described her husband as a ‘respectful, responsible, hardworking and kind person.’ She acknowledged the charge of sexual intercourse without consent but portrayed him as a ‘loyal and caring husband’ who ‘fulfills his marital responsibilities with sincerity, respect, and commitment.’ She highlighted his supportive role, noting, ‘He has always been supportive, understanding and responsible towards me.’
Family Challenges and Court Arguments
The couple, who met 13 years ago, shares twin boys. One child has been diagnosed with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder, the most severe form, requiring substantial ongoing support. The other twin experiences a significant speech delay, necessitating consistent therapy and parental involvement. Defense arguments for bail emphasized Dhumal’s role in their care, warning that his absence could harm the children’s emotional well-being and progress.
A psychological report for sentencing revealed the couple communicates by phone two to three times daily. Dhumal expressed appreciation for his friends’ support during this period and plans to appeal to higher courts if needed. He stressed the importance of returning home to support his family financially and emotionally, particularly for the child with autism, as he serves as the primary provider.
Victim’s Lasting Trauma
The now 76-year-old victim detailed profound devastation in her 1,549-word impact statement, absent from court during sentencing due to emotional distress. She described her life post-attack as ‘not living, but only existing,’ confined by fear even with Dhumal imprisoned. ‘This is the most torturous tragedy of my life. I’m in prison in my own home,’ she wrote.
Only her son knows of the assault; she shielded her grandchildren to preserve their innocence and promote multiculturalism in their lives. She has withdrawn from relatives, friends, church, and community activities due to frequent breakdowns. Sleepless nights bring thoughts of despair: ‘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.’
