Mahatma Gandhi's Great-Grand Daughter Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison in South Africa

South Africa:

A Durban court sentenced Mahatma Gandhi's great-granddaughter, who is well-known for her community outreach programs, to seven years in prison for her part in a six-million-rand fraud and forgery case. Ashish Lata Ramgobin was found guilty by the court on Monday.

Ashish Lata Ramgobin, 56, was accused of scamming businessman SR Maharaj after he financed her R6.2 million to pay import and Customs fees on an allegedly non-existent shipment from India. He was promised a cut of the revenues.

Ramgobin is the daughter of prominent human rights activists Ela Gandhi and Mewa Ramgobind, both of whom were involved in resurrecting Mahatma Gandhi's Phoenix Settlement during his stint in South Africa.

Also Read[Canada Hotel Installs 7-Feet-Tall Ice Sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi]

When the trial against Lata Ramgobin began in 2015, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that she allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices and paperwork to convince potential investors that three containers of linen were being transported in from India.

Also Read [US President Joe Biden spokesperson condemns Mahatma Gandhi-statue desecration]

"She said she was experiencing financial difficulties to pay for import costs and customs and she needed the money to clear the goods at the harbour," NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara said on Monday.

"She advised him (Maharaj) that she needed R6.2 million. To convince him, she showed him what she claimed was a signed purchase order for the goods. Later that month, she sent him what seemed to be a NetCare invoice and delivery note as proof that the goods were delivered and payment was imminent," she said.

Ramgobin, the founder and Executive Director of the International Centre for Non-Participative Violence's Development Initiative, characterised herself as "an activist with a focus on environmental, societal and political interests."

Kirti Menon, Satish Dhupelia, and Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie are three more South African descendants of Mahatma Gandhi who have acquired distinction in human rights work throughout the years.

Ela Gandhi, in particular, has received international recognition for her work, as well as national honours from India.

Also Read - Assam Govt Likely to Hold HSLC & HS Exams in 1st Week of August

Also Watch - Four 4 dacoits arrested in Barpeta Road