Indian-origin man in UK gets 34-year jail term for kidnap, torture and rape

The sentence includes 28 years in custody followed by a six-year extended licence period. (Credit: Facebook/Metropolitan Police Service) A UK court has sentenced an Indian-origin man to 34 years in prison for kidnapping, torturing and raping a 24-year-old woman in a case described by investigators as involving “unimaginable” brutality. Gagandeep Singh, 34, was handed the sentence on Friday after being found guilty of two counts of rape, kidnap, false imprisonment and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.The sentence includes 28 years in custody followed by a six-year extended licence period, with Singh required to serve a minimum of 18 years before he can be considered for parole. What had happened According to evidence presented during the trial, the victim, a 24-year-old woman, became suspicious in June 2024 after being asked to carry a suitcase containing unknown items from Thailand to the UK. After she refused, she was abducted upon arriving at Birmingham Airport. The court heard that masked men forced her into a car and drove her to a house in Hanwell, west London, where Singh raped her on two occasions and subjected her to more than a day of torture. The victim was “punched in the face, beaten, stripped, whipped, burnt and raped” before eventually being released. Her captors threatened her and warned her not to tell anyone about the ordeal. Police account “The brutality of what the victim in this case faced is unimaginable,” said Detective Constable Seetara Abdul of the Metropolitan Police’s North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, who led the investigation.Story continues below this ad Police said the victim was deeply traumatised and initially reluctant to disclose the full extent of the abuse. “Threats were made to try and silence her, but the support of her mum and the diligent care shown by the officers investigating her case meant we were able to apprehend and charge an extremely dangerous individual,” Abdul said. Victim speaks In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, the victim said she had initially been afraid to contact authorities. “I never wanted to contact the police. It felt daunting. I was left thinking that if I did, I could be putting myself and the people around me in danger,” she said.Story continues below this ad She credited her mother for encouraging her to come forward. “It was my mum who never gave up. She believed going to the police was the right thing to do. She kept my clothes as evidence and saved all of my doctor’s notes. She said she couldn’t rest knowing they could be doing this to other people,” the victim said. Police said that shortly after her release from the abductors, the woman confided in her mother, who filed an initial third-party report. The clothing the victim had been wearing at the time of the kidnapping was submitted for forensic examination, helping investigators identify and arrest Singh. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clari