Mahatma Gandhi's great-granddaughter committed a fraud and was sentenced to 7 years in prison

- Lata provided fake bills and documents to potential investors

New delhi date. Tuesday, June 08, 2021

Mahatma Gandhi's great-granddaughter has been convicted of fraud and forgery. Ashish Lata Ramgobin, 56, is accused of defrauding more than Rs 60 lakh. A Durban court in South Africa has sentenced him to seven years in prison.

Lata Ramgobin is the daughter of renowned activist Ila Gandhi and the late Mewa Ramgobind. Lata is accused of cheating with businessman SR Maharaj. The Durban Specialized Commercial Crimes Court has also refused to allow him to appeal the sentence.

The trial against Lata Ramgobin began in 2015. According to Brigadier Hungwani Mulaudji of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), Lata had provided fake bills and documents to potential investors. In this way, he wanted to convince investors that 3 containers of linen were being shipped from India.

At the time, Lata was released on bail of Rs 50,000, or about Rs 2.70 lakh. During Monday's hearing, the court was told that Lata met Maharaj, director of the New Africa Alliance footwear distributor, in August 2015.

The company imports, manufactures and sells clothing, linen and shoes. Maharaj's company also provides finance to other companies on the basis of profit share. Lata told Maharaj that she has imported 3 containers of linen from India for the South African hospital group Netcare. NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara said during the court hearing that Lata had told Maharaj that her financial condition was not good and she was having difficulty in paying the import value and customs duty and needed money to clear the goods at the port.

Lata took Rs 62 lakh from Maharaj. Due to Lata's family credit and netcare documents, the Maharaja had entered into a written agreement with her for the loan. Lata also said that the payment was made to Maharaj through netcare bill and delivery note.

But when the maharaja found out that the documents were fake, he filed a case against Lata. Lata is the founder and executive director of the International Center for Non-Violence, an NGO. According to him, he is an activist and is especially active on environmental, social and political issues.

Some other descendants of Mahatma Gandhi are also human rights activists. They include Lata's cousin Kirti Menon, the late Satish Dhupelia and Uma Dhupelia. Lata's mother Ila Gandhi has gained international recognition for her efforts. Ila Gandhi has received national honors from both India and South Africa.