ADVERTISEMENTs
.png)
Indian-origin peer and Hindu community leader forfeit UK Honours
The decision, made by King Charles III, was attributed to Ranger’s reported actions “bringing the honours system into disrepute.”
Anil Kumar Bhanot and Raminder Singh Ranger / Facebook
Indian-origin peer Raminder Singh Ranger, widely known as Lord Rami Ranger, was stripped of his Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honour on Dec.6. The decision, made by King Charles III, was attributed to Ranger’s reported actions “bringing the honours system into disrepute.”
Ranger, a Conservative Party peer and founder of the UK-based FMCG company Sun Mark Ltd, was awarded the CBE in 2015 by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to British business and the Asian community. However, the honour was “cancelled and annulled” following recommendations by the UK Cabinet Office’s Forfeiture Committee.
While the Forfeiture Committee has not disclosed the specific reasons for the decision, the revocation comes after a House of Lords investigation last year found Ranger guilty of breaching the parliamentary Code of Conduct related to “bullying and harassment.”
“The King has directed that the appointment of Raminder Singh, Baron Ranger to be a Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated December 31, 2015, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order,” stated the official notice published in The London Gazette.
According to Cabinet Office guidelines, honours may be withdrawn if an individual is found guilty of a criminal offence, censured by a regulatory body, or exhibits behaviour that tarnishes the reputation of the honours system.
The Forfeiture Committee’s decision also impacted Anil Kumar Bhanot, who received an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) honour in 2010 for his contributions to the Hindu community and interfaith relations.
“The King has directed that the appointment of Anil Kumar Bhanot to be an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), dated June 12, 2010, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order,” stated the notice in The London Gazette.
Both cases underscore the Forfeiture Committee’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the British honours system.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login