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Court dismisses sexual abuse allegations against Coventry priest

The allegations had been examined by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the High Court, with all three rejecting the claims.

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The claims were brought by five former disciples but were rejected in their entirety by Justice Martin Spencer. (Representational image: iStock)

The High Court in London has dismissed allegations of sexual and financial abuse against Rajinder Kalia, the priest of Baba Balak Nath Temple in Coventry.

The claims were brought by five former disciples but were rejected in their entirety by Justice Martin Spencer.


In a statement, Kalia said, “The court has shown that this was a coordinated attempt to destroy my reputation and seek financial gain. The claimants repeatedly offered fictitious and fabricated testimonies and showed a lack of respect for court rules and protocol.”

The allegations had been examined by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the High Court, with all three rejecting the claims.

“While I am greatly relieved it is over and will personally reflect on the findings, I need to consider the next steps which will enable my family and I, indeed the whole Mandir community, to finally put this challenging episode behind us,” Kalia said.

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UK's first female Asian lord mayor Manjula Sood dies aged 80

During her year as lord mayor, she was appointed an MBE and awarded an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Leicester.

manjulasood.com

UK's first female Asian lord mayor Manjula Sood dies aged 80

Highlights

  • Manjula Sood became UK's first Asian female lord mayor in May 2008 after arriving from India in 1970.
  • Served as Labour councillor for Stoneygate ward and Leicester's first female Hindu councillor from 1996.
  • Awarded MBE and honorary doctorate while championing women and diverse communities across the city.

Tributes have been paid following the death of Manjula Sood, who became the UK's first female Asian lord mayor and was described as "a dedicated servant to the Leicester community."

Sood, who was 80, also served as assistant mayor and Labour councillor for the Stoneygate ward in Leicester.

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