An Indian-origin electrician in Sydney has been locked up for five years after raping a 75-year-old woman in her home during a solar panel repair visit, blaming his own marital frustrations and showing zero remorse. Amol Vijay Dhumal, 45, was convicted by a jury in September 2025 of sexual intercourse without consent, turning a routine job into a nightmare that left the victim “not living, but only existing” in constant fear.
This case exposes the terrifying vulnerability of elderly residents to trusted service providers, sparking outrage in multicultural Sydney where such breaches shatter community trust. As Dhumal appeals his sentence, the ruling underscores Australia’s firm stance on sexual violence, but highlights ongoing debates over rehabilitation for unrepentant offenders.
From Hug to Horror in Two Days:
The ordeal began on April, when Dhumal and two colleagues arrived at the elderly woman’s Mount Colah home to install solar panels. As the day ended, Dhumal asked if she lived alone. Upon her confirmation, he hugged her tightly, attempted to kiss her, and claimed she reminded him of his mother. Shocked, she demanded he leave, and he departed with his team.
Two days later, on April 24, Dhumal returned solo to address a power glitch. He probed about her children’s visits, which Judge Craig Everson later deemed a calculated check for detection risks. Complaining that his wife “never has sex with him,” Dhumal grabbed the woman again, dragging her toward the bedroom. She protested, saying, “You’ve got to be kidding.” He then raped her in the lounge room, inflicting physical injuries.
The victim reported the assault immediately, leading to Dhumal’s arrest. During the trial at Downing Centre District Court, he denied the crime, claiming the woman fabricated it over an unanswered call. A jury found him guilty on September 24, 2025, of one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
Sentencing occurred in December 2025. The victim, too traumatized to attend, submitted a statement detailing 601 days of torment: bolting doors, withdrawing from volunteering, and viewing her lifelong home as a “horror tragic place.”
A Breach in Everyday Trust:
Mount Colah, a quiet suburb in Sydney’s north, is known for its elderly residents and community spirit. The victim, a long-time advocate for multiculturalism through volunteer work, embodied this-until the attack eroded her sense of safety.
Dhumal, born in India and working as a subcontractor for a solar company, had no prior criminal record noted in reports. His bosses expressed shock, with one telling media he was a reliable worker until the allegations surfaced.
This case fits a disturbing pattern of sexual assaults by service providers in homes, often targeting isolated seniors. In Australia, sexual violence reports rose 13% in 2024-2025, per Australian Bureau of Statistics, with elderly victims facing unique barriers like delayed reporting due to shame or health issues.
Judicial Condemnation: "Very Evil" and High Reoffending Risk:
Judge Craig Everson SC’s remarks during sentencing were scathing. He labeled Dhumal a “very evil” person with an “evil mind, evil heart, an evil and filthy mouth,” rejecting any suggestion of low reoffending risk as “ludicrous.” The judge highlighted premeditation-Dhumal’s questions about her children’s visits were seen as a deliberate check on detection likelihood-and his complete lack of remorse or understanding of consent. Despite Dhumal’s denial (claiming fabrication over an unanswered call), the five-year sentence (with parole eligibility in April 2030) reflects the breach of trust in a professional home visit, though some public commentary questions if it adequately matches the gravity.
Family Defense vs. Accountability:
A striking contrast came from Dhumal’s wife, Gauri, who testified at sentencing, calling him “loving and respectful” despite his pre-assault complaints about their sex life. She submitted support letters and acknowledged the guilty verdict without engaging further on the facts. This perspective highlights the complexity of family dynamics in such cases, where denial or loyalty persists even post-conviction. It stands in sharp opposition to the victim’s and judge’s views, fueling discussions on how personal relationships can intersect with criminal accountability.
Public & Online Reaction:
Media reports and online discussions reveal widespread shock, with many people calling the five-year sentence far too light for such a brutal crime against a vulnerable 75-year-old woman. On platforms like Facebook and Reddit, comments frequently ask: “Why only 5 years? It should be at least 8 to 10.”
This reflects deep frustration with how sexual violence cases are sentenced in Australia.