Briton faces paedophilia charges

BBC News

A 56-year-old British teacher accused of sexually and physically abusing children at an orphanage in India has appeared before a court in Bombay.

Allan John Waters, from Hampstead, was remanded in custody on Tuesday until a further appearance on 14 September.

He was extradited from the US after being arrested there by Interpol.

Fellow Briton Duncan Grant, who set up the orphanage for male street children in 1995, is wanted by police on the same charges, which both men deny.

Unsuccessful petition

Grant and Waters have been on Bombay police's wanted list since 2001 for alleged paedophilia at the Anchorage Shelter orphanage, in South Bombay.

Waters is alleged to have visited the shelter often and abused the children.

The orphanage was managed by an Indian man William D'Souza who was also arrested on similar charges, which he denies.

He has been released on bail and is due to stand trial later this month.

Waters is a teacher who resides in Hampstead, London, according to police.

Although he was arrested in New York last year, he had filed an unsuccessful petition in a US court to prevent his extradition to India.

Internet site

Grant was arrested in Tanzania last week and efforts are now being made to extradite him to Bombay as well.

He is also wanted by British police for alleged misappropriation of funds, according to deputy commissioner of police Nawal Bajaj.

Mr Bajaj said Grant collected funds for the orphanage on an internet site but that UK police suspected he used the money for other purposes.

He is said to have started similar shelter homes in Tanzania.

The Anchorage Shelter continues to function and still houses 20 to 25 boys.

The case follows a Bombay High Court committee inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse at the orphanage.