A former HMRC compliance officer who helped her ex-husband launder over £3 million has avoided a custodial sentence. Kuldip Badesha, 46, of Kent, was handed a 14-month suspended sentence on Wednesday after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office.
Her ex-husband, Ranbir Singh, 46, also known as Ray Singh Rana, was sentenced to six years in prison for laundering £3.3 million between 2015 and 2018. Badesha’s role included submitting false documents to Companies House, including forged National Insurance numbers and fake signatures, to register bogus companies.
“Obliged to Help”
In court, Judge Adam Hiddleston acknowledged that Badesha felt pressured to assist Singh and did not financially benefit from her involvement. However, he condemned her actions, saying, “What you did was to use your position of considerable trust as a no-doubt valued member of the HMRC team to lend legitimacy to a claim which was not true and which you knew to be a lie.”
The judge emphasized the potential damage to public trust in HMRC due to Badesha’s actions, describing them as an “appalling breach of trust.” However, he took into account her clean record, genuine remorse, and the significant personal losses she suffered, including her job at HMRC.
Sentencing and Rehabilitation
Badesha was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work along with five days of rehabilitation activity. Judge Hiddleston expressed confidence in her rehabilitation, stating, “I’m sure we will not see you before the courts again.”
Ranbir Singh’s Convictions
Singh, a career criminal with a history of serious offences, including an 11-year sentence for kidnapping in 2008, orchestrated the money laundering scheme. HMRC reported that Badesha met Singh shortly before his incarceration and married him during a weekend release in 2013.
Breach of Trust
Ben Rollins, head of anti-corruption at HMRC, described Badesha’s actions as a severe betrayal. “She abused her position to help her husband launder millions of pounds,” he said. “Money laundering fuels further criminality, and we will not hesitate to bring to justice those who undermine the public’s trust in HMRC.”
Background
Badesha admitted to providing Singh with false documents appearing to originate from HMRC but claimed she was unaware of their exact use. Despite her role in the scheme, the court heard she was remorseful and had worked hard to rebuild her life following the scandal.
This case highlights the broader implications of corruption within trusted institutions, with HMRC vowing to uphold its integrity and pursue those who breach it.