A British charity worker and former Vancouver resident who moved to India to help orphaned children has been sentenced to one-year in jail after being found guilty of manslaughter over the disappearance of a child during a riverside picnic.
The verdict left 28-year-old Narges Ashtari “in shock” and the court levied a fine of Rs 3 lakh. Although she was sentenced, Narges remains free on a bail as she launches an appeal against the verdict.
Narges had set up the Prishan Foundation in India that helps poor and blind children. The foundation had built an orphanage and home for blind kids in Odisha.
In the year 2014 during a picnic for staff, parents and children a child went missing and Narges was accused of manslaughter.
The child that went missing is suspected to have drowned; however, Narges insists that she is a victim of corruption that is rampant in parts of India.
Narges told that a husband and wife duo accompanying her during the picnic claimed that she took their son and threw him in the river, resulting in him drowning.
She told that it was a claim to extort money from her. But when she refused to pay them they took the claim against her and ultimately succeeded.
Feeling betrayed, Narges says that she has spent years in the area and made a huge difference and this is how she has been repaid.
Narges first arrived in India in 2011 and began working with local groups to help poor kids get a better education.
She claims that there are a lot of bad people in India and when "they see somebody from the outside they just see money."
She claimed the British Embassy has not helped but an online petition has helped her cause, reminding people in India that she is not alone in her fight.
She is calling for ex-friends and colleagues in Exeter to sign and share her petition.
"I lived in Exeter from the age of four before I went to Canada when I was 17," she added.
"I grew up there and see myself as being as British as you can be. Because of the childhood I had – losing my mother and father – I just wanted to give something back.
"I travelled a lot and found myself here, a place where lots of people are in need.
"At least I have a voice to speak to the outside world, something a lot of people here don't have. If this can happen to a British national like me I cannot imagine what can happen to them.
"I still have friends in Exeter who I grew up with who have always been in touch even though I have been all over the place.
"If people sign my petition it really helps. People see names from around the world and think 'she's not alone'. All I ask is that I get a fair trial."
Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia Director for Human Rights Watch, speaking in general terms said, “when journalists and activists highlight corruption cases…they have been targeted.” According to Ganguly, it can sometimes backfire and result in the journalist or activist being accused of a criminal action.
Ganguly says in situations where officials are not doing their jobs, either through incompetency or corruption, those who expose them have come under scrutiny by authorities.
Ashtari was born in Iran, but grew up in Britain and later moved to Vancouver.
