An Australian court has sentenced Balesh Dhankhar, a prominent figure in the Indian community, to 40 years in prison for the “premeditated and elaborately executed” rapes of five South Korean women. The 43-year-old, who was once regarded as a respected leader, was handed a non-parole period of 30 years during his sentencing at the Downing Centre District Court on Friday (March 7), as reported by Australia Today.
“This was an egregious sequence of planned predatory conduct against five unrelated young and vulnerable women over a significant period,”- While sentencing Dhankhar, district court judge Michael King said condemning his actions.
How He Preyed on Women
Dhankhar, a former IT consultant, targeted South Korean women aged between 21 and 27. He lured women by posting fake job advertisements before drugging them in or near his Sydney home. Reports say that he then sexually assaulted and raped his victims, filming the crimes for his own future gratification. He arrived in Australia as a student in 2006, presenting himself as a community-minded individual dedicated to improving the lives of others. However, in 2023, a jury found him guilty of 39 offenses, including 13 counts of sexual assault.
‘No Remorse’
Dhankar displayed no emotion as the verdict was delivered, the report said. He was found guilty of 39 offences, including 13 counts of rape, after a jury trial in 2023. District Court Judge Michael King strongly condemned Dhankhar’s actions, describing them as “premeditated, elaborately executed, manipulative, and highly predatory.”
From Community Leader to Convicted Criminal
Until his arrest in 2018, Balesh Dhankhar was a well-known figure in the Indian-Australian community, often seen as a spokesperson for the Hindu Council of Australia, according to reports. However, behind this respected image lay a dark reality.
During the trial, Dhankhar denied drugging the women or engaging in non-consensual acts, attempting to justify his actions by claiming his understanding of consent differed from the legal definition. His sentencing reflects the severity of his crimes—he will serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars, with his non-parole period set to end in April 2053.
He either sedated or significantly impaired the Korean women at the time of the abuse. Court evidence revealed a disturbing pattern—Dhankhar not only filmed his assaults for his own gratification but also meticulously documented his victims. He kept a spreadsheet ranking women who responded to his fake job postings, judging them based on their looks, intelligence, and perceived vulnerability.
