Southall Black Sisters honours the legacy of Gurwinder Kaur and calls for action against domestic abuse
Southall Black Sisters (SBS) welcomes the guilty verdict delivered on 29 April 2025, convicting Ravi Yadav of raping and financially abusing his wife, Gurwinder Kaur. We believe the ruling to be one of the first of its kind in the UK, where a conviction for rape has been secured despite the victim tragically passing away before the conclusion of the trial. It is a powerful affirmation of Gurwinder’s truth and a significant moment of justice after years of abuse, silence, and struggle.
Gurwinder endured a lifetime of brutal and dehumanising abuse, much of which she bravely disclosed to SBS. She told us how, at just 19 years old, she was relentlessly coerced into marriage by Ravi Yadav, who threatened suicide when she initially refused his proposals. The abuse began even before the marriage and only escalated significantly afterwards.
Following their wedding in 2004, Gurwinder lived with her in-laws in India, where she was subjected to dowry-related harassment, domestic servitude, and daily humiliation. As a Sikh woman, she also faced religiously motivated abuse from her Hindu husband and his family, who persistently degraded her, telling her she was “less than them.” This toxic mix of coercion, patriarchy, and religious discrimination laid the foundation for a life marked by fear, subjugation, and silencing.
In 2005, Gurwinder joined Ravi Yadav in the UK, hoping for a better life—but the violence escalated. Over the years, she endured verbal, emotional, physical, and financial abuse. She was isolated, repeatedly threatened with the removal of her children to India, and forced to live in a volatile, terror-filled home where intimidation was constant, and safety was a distant hope.
The most harrowing incident took place on the night of 27 January 2020, when Ravi Yadav raped Gurwinder twice. He slapped her, pulled her hair, and spat at her in contempt, shouting, “You’re a woman, how dare you say no to me!”. Gurwinder was left deeply traumatised. She described the assaults to SBS as profoundly violating and unforgettable.
Yet despite the horrors she endured, Gurwinder showed extraordinary courage. With support from SBS, she sought and secured legal protection—determined to break free from the cycle of violence and reclaim her dignity.
Following the perpetrator’s arrest on 30 August 2020, he was released on bail with conditions prohibiting any direct contact with Gurwinder. In response, SBS took swift and decisive action to ensure her safety. We successfully secured Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders, preventing the perpetrator from contacting Gurwinder or returning to the family home. These legal protections were vital in safeguarding both Gurwinder and her children during a critical time.
Tragically, Gurwinder passed away before she could see her abuser brought to justice. Initially the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined to proceed with the case, citing her death as a barrier to prosecution. However, following sustained pressure from SBS—alongside Dr Kulwant Singh and Pinder Kaur who had been unwavering sources of support and strength for Gurwinder within the community—the CPS reversed its decision and agreed to pursue charges. The case was taken forward by a committed officer who worked closely with us, carefully considering the extensive evidence submitted by SBS and our partners.
Crucially, the abuse suffered by Gurwinder’s children was also taken into account during the investigation and legal proceedings, acknowledging the broader and intergenerational impact of domestic abuse.
Although Gurwinder tragically passed away from cancer before the trial, her meticulous and heartfelt testimony, along with the compelling evidence she provided, played a central role in securing a swift and unanimous guilty verdict from the jury.
The perpetrator Ravi Yadav will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 1 May 2025 at 2pm.
Reflecting on Gurwinder’s case, Shakila Taranum Maan, Head of Legal Affairs and Community Engagement at SBS, said: “While Gurwinder’s life was marked by extraordinary resilience in the face of relentless abuse, her legacy is one of courage and hope. Her decision to speak out, despite the risks, sends a powerful message to other women trapped in silence.
We wish to acknowledge Pinder Kaur and Dr Kulwant Singh, who offered invaluable care to Gurwinder in her final months. Their compassion and leadership—alongside SBS—continue to challenge harmful community norms and demand accountability.
This conviction must serve as a turning point. SBS calls for urgent reforms to better protect women—especially those facing multiple barriers due to race, religion, class, caste, disabilities, and immigration status. No woman should ever have to die for her truth to be believed.”
Media contact: Sanskriti Sanghi, Policy, Campaigns and Communications Officer
E: [email protected]
T: 07771316138
