Convicted rapist Dhankhar remains behind bars ahead of court mention on 12 May

Indian-origin, Sydney-based man, Balesh Dhankhar, has been found guilty of drugging and raping five women and also of recording intimate images without their consent. Dhankhar will learn the date of his sentencing hearing when he returns to court on 12 May.

Sydney man and convicted rapist, Balesh Dhankhar. Credit: Facebook/Balesh Dhankhar

A District Court jury convicted Dhankhar on 24 April after hearing 39 charges against him.

He was returned to custody after the verdict was delivered before Justice M King, according to a New South Wales District Court media spokesperson.

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"The matter is listed for a brief mention in Sydney Downing Centre District Court on 12 May, (and) on that date the sentence hearing date will be confirmed, as it has not yet been determined," the spokesperson told SBS Hindi.

Indian-origin man, Balesh Dhankhar, faced a rape trial in the NSW District Court. (Representative image) Credit: Chris Ryan/Getty Images

The accused will be sentenced in the District Court by Justice Michael King SC.

Several sex videos were found in Dhankhar's apartment following a raid in 2018, according to media reports.

Dhankhar is a former president of the Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP) in Australia, but he resigned in 2018.

NSW Police raided Dhankhar's apartment in 2018. (Representative image) Source: AAP / STEVEN SAPHORE/AAPIMAGE

SBS Hindi contacted OFBJP Australia about the incident and it responded by sharing a tweet condemning Dhankhar's actions.

President of the Indian Overseas Congress Australia, Manoj Sheoran, expressed sympathy with the victims of crime and said the accused had brought shame to the entire Indian community.

Manoj Sheoran is President of the Indian Overseas Congress Australia.

"We feel sorry for the women who went through such horrific acts of life-altering trauma which may last for the rest of their lives," Mr Sheoran said, pointing out that Dhankhar was associated with high-level BJP leaders including the Indian Prime Minister.

The NSW Police declined to comment on the case, stating that the matter was still pending in court.

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