New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS) Relatives of the four members of the President’s Bodyguard convicted in the 2003 Buddha Jayanti Park gang rape case Monday said their kin were innocent and they would appeal the judgement.
Paramanand Singh, father of Satender Singh who was held guilty of raping a 17-year old girl six years ago, claimed that his son was not solely responsible for the act.

“I have myself served with the PBG for 20 years in the times of former presidents S. Radhakrishnan and Giani Zail Singh and know the rules and regulations when one is on duty. It is in our blood and my son was also brought up hearing all this only. How can he be involved in such a disgusting act?” Paramanand said.

“I have full faith in my son and am sure of the fact that he is not solely responsible for the act. I will appeal against this order,” he said.

Satender has been convicted for gang rape, kidnapping and robbery.

Mool Singh, a relative of Kuldeep Singh who too was convicted for kidnapping and robbery, said: “We are from a poor family and were praying if his job could be saved but with his conviction, all our hopes are shattered.”

However, he said they will appeal against this verdict.

The court will decide on the quantum of sentence Aug 22.

The victim, 17 then, had gone with her boyfriend Ashish to the Buddha Jayanti Park near Rashtrapati Bhavan Oct 6, 2003. She was raped by Harpreet and Satender while the other two - Kuldeep and Manish - kept a watch.

The four first roughed up Ashish and then took the girl to a secluded place inside the park where they raped her, the prosecution said.