- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
The Indian diaspora in Australia have condemned Balesh Dhankhar, a prominent member of the community with political connections, following his arrest on charges of raping five South Korean women.
Dhankhar was the head of Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) Australia before he stepped down from the post over the charges a few years ago.
He was convicted early last week on charges of rape.
Among those who condemned the 43-year-old Indian-origin man is Dr Yadu Singh, spokesperson of Federation of Indian Associations of New South Wales.
Indian Express report during PM Modi's 2014 visit to Australia, quotes Dhankhar https://t.co/DmnbR7nbKl
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) April 24, 2023
Calling Dhankhar’s act “vile and grossly wrong” and strongly condemning him, Singh said the Indian community in Australia has a good reputation which has been tarnished “by the demonic activities of the convicted lowlife”, India Today reported.
Singh also said that Dhankhar was the leader of many Indian community organisations in Sydney and was the founding president of OFBJP Australia, affiliated to the ruling party of India, Bharatiya Janata Party led by prime minister Narendra Modi.
“The Indian community in Australia does not side or support such low lives within its fold and is hoping that the court will sentence him to a long-term jail punishment,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.
Prashant Singh, founder of Indian Australian Technology Forum said the Indian Australian community was left shocked beyond belief by the Indian-origin man’s crime.
“How can someone in a position of trust sink so low and commit such a heinous crime. This act tarnishes the reputation of a community that has made significant contributions to this country. We firmly believe in the rule of law, and criminals must face the full force of the law. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and if there is anything the Indian Diaspora can do to help, we should,” Prashant Singh was quoted as saying by India Today.
Amit Jadonn, president, Federation of Indian Communities of Victoria, said the Australian-Indian community was reeling from the shocking acts of Dhankhar.
He said the latter’s actions brought great shame upon a community which is well-regarded otherwise.
Dhankhar was convicted of drugging and raping five Korean women and secretly filming the acts, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. He faced trial over several charges, including 13 counts of rape committed between January and October 2018, reports added.
He was arrested in October 2018 when his fifth victim woke up while being assaulted by him and sent messages to a friend while hiding in the bathroom.
Police later searched Dhankhar’s room and found nearly 50 videos of him having sex with women, some in unconscious state while others seemingly in agony, the India Today report added.
On April 24, Dhankhar was found guilty by a jury at the district court in Sydney.
