Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
In a major relief for Tory peer Lord Rami Ranger, an employment tribunal in Watford dismissed a £673,000 claim made against him and his former company Sun Mark by a former employee, reports said.
Employment appeal judge Hyams ruled that the former employee, Ramandeep Kaur, had acted dishonestly and destroyed crucial evidence, including the phone recording covertly made against Lord Ranger, the notebook and the second phone, during the hearing on January 9 and 10.
The judge described Kaur's conduct as 'plainly scandalous, unreasonable and vexatious'.
According to a report in the Times of India, the claim was centred on a phone call on October 5, 2018, in which she alleged that the Tory peer made derogatory remarks to her, and a notepad which contained recorded events in connection with her claim.
That recording of the conversation, which took place in Punjabi, was made without the knowledge or consent of Lord Ranger.
Kaur alleged that during the phone call Lord Ranger called her a prostitute and said that he would kill her.
However, the tribunal found specifically that those things were not said by the peer.
“We do not find that Lord Ranger threatened to kill the Claimant. … He did not call her a prostitute. The allegation that those things were said was based on the fact that they were included in a translation of the recording of the conversation of 5 October 2018 which was made by a company called Atlas Translations Limited (“Atlas”)," the judge was quoted as saying.
Following a court order on 24 April 2020, an independent translation of the conversation was made which failed to prove Kaur's cllaims.
The former employee told the tribunal that she had broken the mobile phone into pieces and threw it into the river in Hayes as it contained intimate pictures of her and her fiancé.
"In our religion and culture we are not allowed to have physical relationships before marriage. If my fiancé had withdrawn from getting married or I had, he could have leaked those photos," she was quoted as saying in media reports.
She added that the other crucial evidence, the notepad, was burnt by her husband as he was 'upset by its contents'.
The judge termed her claims 'nonsense and implausible'. He observed that she either lied or she destroyed them on purpose fearing a forensic inspection in the future.
The judge said that Lord Ranger may have been provoked in the call and a fair hearing is impossible without retrieving the whole phone conversation recording.
Following the judgement, claims for unfair dismissal and victimisation were withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Sun Mark board welcomed the judgement saying that it is pleased with the right outcome to the case.
“After four difficult years of defending our position, we are pleased that the employment tribunal has come to the right decision by dismissing and striking out the entire claim for £673,000 by the claimant Ramandeep Kaur, against Lord Rami Ranger,” said Harmeet Ahuja, CEO of Sun Mark in a statement.
“The company, chairman and directors take their responsibilities as an employer very seriously; we consider our company to be a Sun Mark family-run enterprise. The last four years have taken an unspeakable toll on The Ranger and Sun Mark family.
“The Judge rightly concluded in respect of the destruction of key evidence that her (Mrs Kaur’s) deliberate destruction of those things, or lying in saying that she had destroyed them, was intended to prevent the respondents and the tribunal from considering further material which could have affected the outcome of the proceedings in a significant way."
People sing songs and cheer in Hostages Square, after it was announced that all living hostages had been released and arrived back in Israel on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel.(Photo: Getty Images)
Hamas hands over remaining Israeli hostages under Trump-brokered ceasefire
Trump arrives in Israel, says Gaza war is “over” as deal takes effect
Nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners to be released
Global leaders to meet in Egypt to discuss post-war stability
HAMAS on Monday handed over its remaining Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza for transfer to the Israeli military, an official involved in the operation told Reuters.
The handover marked a key step in ending two years of war in Gaza under a ceasefire deal brokered by United States president Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel to address its parliament.
As he entered the Knesset, Trump said the Palestinian militant group Hamas would comply with a provision under his plan requiring it to disarm, though the group has ruled this out.
Speaking to reporters before his address, Trump replied “yes” when asked if Gaza’s war was over.
Hostages reunited with families
As thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, Israel’s military said it had received seven living hostages after their transfer from Gaza by the Red Cross.
“I am so excited. I am full of happiness. It's hard to imagine how I feel this moment. I didn't sleep all night,” said Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, as she travelled to Reim, the Israeli military camp where the hostages were taken.
Initial photographs of six of the freed hostages distributed by the Israeli military showed them standing.
The military said Red Cross representatives were on their way to receive the remaining 13 confirmed living hostages, who were also expected to be released on Monday.
Bodies of some of the 26 dead hostages, and two others whose fate is unknown, will also be released, along with nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners held in Israel.
The releases are part of the first phase of the ceasefire accord agreed last week in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Trump and more than 20 other world leaders are meeting there later on Monday to discuss next steps aimed at broader Middle East stability.
The Gaza conflict began with a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults since then have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s health officials said.
Leaders meet to discuss lasting peace
In Gaza, about a dozen masked and armed men, apparently from Hamas’ military wing, arrived at Nasser Hospital where preparations were underway to welcome returning Palestinian prisoners.
“I hope that these images can be the end to this war. We lost friends and relatives, we lost our houses and our city,” said Emad Abu Joudat, 57, a father of six from Gaza City, watching the handover on his phone.
The United States mediated the agreement with Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. The next phase of the deal includes an international body called the “Board of Peace,” to be led by Trump.
Progress toward lasting peace will depend on global commitments that may be discussed at Monday’s summit, but key details remain unresolved.
Outstanding issues include governance of Gaza after the conflict and the future of Hamas, which has rejected Israel’s demand to disarm.
The group’s public appearance on Monday at Nasser Hospital highlighted the challenges of addressing Israeli concerns over Hamas’ continued control of Gaza, which it has ruled since 2007.
Other disputes include the extent of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and moves toward a Palestinian state, which many Israelis oppose.
Trump addresses Knesset
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Trump at the airport as Air Force One landed, and accompanied him by limousine as a band played.
Trump will be the fourth US president to address the Knesset, following Jimmy Carter in 1979, Bill Clinton in 1994 and George W Bush in 2008.
Two years of conflict
Two years of war have left Gaza in ruins, with nearly all of its 2.2 million residents displaced. The conflict has also widened regional tensions involving Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Yemen’s Houthis.
Near Israel’s Reim camp, where the hostages were being taken to hospitals, people lined the road waving Israeli flags marked with yellow ribbons and the Star of David.
The family of hostage Matan Angrest thanked Trump for his role in securing his return. “We can breathe again. Our Matan is home!” they said.
At Israeli prisons, 1,968 Palestinian detainees boarded buses, most bound for Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, an official said.
Most of those released are Gazans detained during the war, along with 250 prisoners convicted of or suspected of involvement in deadly attacks.
Hamas’ armed wing said it remained committed to the deal, provided Israel also adheres to the agreed terms.
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said on X that Israel had approved additional emergency aid deliveries, while UNRWA, the U.N. agency operating in Gaza, urged Israel to allow it to work without restrictions.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.