Mahatma Gandhi’s South Africa-based great-granddaughter, Ashish Lata Ramgobin has been sentenced to seven years in jail in a six-million rand (Rs 3.22 crore) fraud and forgery case.
Ramgobin is the daughter of renowned human rights activist Ela Gandhi and the late Mewa Ramgobind.
Her parents played key roles in reviving the Phoenix Settlement established by Gandhi during his tenure in South Africa.
As per reports, Ramgobin was found to have defrauded businessman S R Maharaj after he advanced rand 6.2 million to her after she promised a share of large profits, allegedly to clear import and customs duties for a non-existent consignment from India.
Ramgobin was also refused leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence by the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Monday.
She allegedly provided forged invoices and documents to convince potential investors that three containers of linen were being shipped in from India.