Rajbinder Kaur, a former banker, was sentenced for stealing funds from Sikh Youth UK, sparking protests claiming a ‘witch hunt’
Birmingham: A woman named Rajbinder Kaur was sentenced for stealing nearly £50,000 from her charity, Sikh Youth UK. She broke down in tears as she heard the verdict. Kaur, who used to work in banking, was in deep debt and misused donations to cover her personal expenses.
At 55, she had a complicated scheme going on, moving money between her many accounts to hide what she was doing. Along with her brother, Kaldip Singh Lehal, she even lied to The Charity Commission during their investigation.
During the court proceedings, there were protests outside, with supporters claiming it was a ‘witch hunt’. Kaur was sentenced to two years and eight months for her crimes, which included theft and money laundering.
Judge Dean Kershaw didn’t hold back, telling her she should be ashamed for using charity funds to support her lifestyle. He pointed out that the money was meant for good causes, not to pay off her debts.
Her brother, who got a lighter sentence, was also criticized for trying to intimidate the prosecutor. The judge acknowledged that while Singh Lehal had a troubled past, he was trying to do good with the charity.
They started Sikh Youth UK in 2016 to help young people, but things went south when they failed to keep proper financial records. Kaur was stealing money to maintain a lifestyle she couldn’t afford, racking up a staggering £98,000 in debt.
Supporters of the siblings argue that the prosecution was politically motivated, especially given Singh Lehal’s activism. They believe the case has unfairly tarnished the reputation of Sikh Youth UK and the broader Sikh community.
In the end, it’s a sad story of how good intentions can go wrong, and how financial struggles can lead people down a dark path.
