Australian Court Sentences Indian Community Leader Balesh Dhankhar to 40 Years for Serial Sexual Assault
An Australian court has sentenced Balesh Dhankhar, a prominent Indian community leader, to 40 years in prison for orchestrating the systematic sexual assault of five South Korean women.
The 43-year-old former IT consultant, who played a key role in establishing the BJP’s satellite group in Australia and served as a spokesperson for the Hindu Council of Australia, was convicted on 13 counts of sexual assault, along with multiple other charges.
Dhankhar, originally from Haryana, India, had once worked in the IT sector before carrying out these heinous crimes. His father, a retired Indian Air Force officer, also held a position as a Deputy Superintendent in the Delhi government.
Read More: Harassment Complaints See a 375% Increase
Predatory Tactics and Organized Assaults
The Downing Centre District Court in Australia found Dhankhar guilty of systematically targeting women by luring them through fake job advertisements. Posing as a recruiter, he offered fraudulent employment opportunities to attract victims. Once they responded, he drugged them, leaving them unconscious or severely incapacitated before carrying out the assaults.
Investigations revealed that Dhankhar meticulously categorized potential victims based on their appearance, intelligence, and attractiveness, maintaining detailed records in an Excel spreadsheet. He also filmed the assaults for his personal gratification, storing the recordings on his computer.
The victims, aged between 21 and 27, were left in a vulnerable and defenseless state during the attacks, highlighting the calculated nature of his crimes.
Public Outrage and Political Backlash
Dhankhar’s conviction has sparked widespread condemnation, raising concerns about the moral integrity of individuals in influential positions. Despite his public image as a community leader, his actions have shocked many within the Indian diaspora and beyond.
Critics have also questioned the BJP and the Modi government’s association with individuals like Dhankhar, pointing to the hypocrisy of a party that claims to champion women’s rights. His leadership role within the community has led to increased scrutiny over the political establishment’s commitment to protecting women’s dignity and security.
Dhankhar was initially found guilty in 2023 on 39 charges, including the 13 counts of sexual assault. His sentencing now brings some measure of justice for the victims, though the case continues to stir debate over accountability and safeguards against such predators.
