Balesh Dhankhar, once a respected figure in the Indian-Australian community, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping five Korean women, in a case described by the judge as “premeditated and elaborately executed.” The crimes, which included drugging, assault, and recording his offenses for his own gratification, have shocked communities and tarnished Dhankhar’s former image as a community leader.
The Crime and Its Horrific Details
Dhankhar, a former data visualisation consultant who worked with companies including ABC, British American Tobacco, Toyota, and Sydney Trains, allegedly lured the victims with fake job advertisements. He reportedly drugged the women near his Sydney residence before sexually assaulting them. Shockingly, he maintained detailed records of his predatory behavior in an Excel spreadsheet, rating each victim based on looks and intelligence, and even filmed his crimes for future sexual gratification.
Judicial Verdict and Sentencing
A jury in 2023 found Dhankhar guilty of 39 offenses, including 13 counts of sexual assault. District Court Judge Michael King described his actions as “premeditated, elaborately executed, manipulative and highly predatory.” The judge emphasized that Dhankhar’s self-presentation as a community-minded leader was entirely inconsistent with his reprehensible behavior. The sentence includes a non-parole period of 30 years, ensuring that Dhankhar, currently 43, will remain imprisoned until at least April 2053.
Community Shock and Fallout
Until his arrest in 2018, Dhankhar was held in high esteem within the Indian-Australian community. He had founded a satellite branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and served as a spokesperson for the Hindu Council of Australia. His fall from grace has sent shockwaves through the community, which once regarded him as a model citizen and successful professional.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Dhankhar was apprehended following a raid on his Sydney central business district unit in 2018, during which police discovered date-rape drugs and a video recorder concealed in a clock radio. This evidence helped build the case that ultimately led to his conviction. Authorities continue to emphasize that his actions were part of a systematic, premeditated plan that exploited vulnerable women for his own gratification.
