In a tragic incident, a teenage boy named Ronan Kanda, 16, lost his life after being mistakenly targeted and fatally stabbed by two fellow pupils, Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, both 17. The assailants, armed with a 20-inch “ninja” sword, mistook Ronan for a rival they intended to harm. This incident occurred in Wolverhampton as Ronan was walking home from a friend’s place in June 2022.
Following the attack, Veadhesa and Shergill were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023, with Veadhesa ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years and Shergill 16 years. The sword used in the crime was acquired with the help of Veadhesa’s mother’s ID, obtained from the Post Office shortly before the fatal assault.
In response to this tragedy, Ronan’s mother, Pooja, has taken a proactive stance against youth knife crime and the online trade of lethal weapons. Legislation known as Ronan’s Law has been implemented to prohibit the sale, production, and import of ninja swords in the UK, named in honor of her late son. Pooja, who was recently awarded an OBE for her efforts, continues to raise awareness about the dangers of carrying knives by engaging with schools and charitable organizations along with her daughter Nikita.
Pooja emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in preventing children from entering a life of crime. She advocates for direct engagement with parents during school parents’ evenings, highlighting the pivotal role parents play in instilling values and guiding their children towards positive paths. Pooja’s mission is to educate and support parents to prevent future tragedies like the loss of her son.
Despite her relentless efforts, Pooja remains deeply shattered by the loss of her son, reflecting on the pain and void left by his absence. She shares her ongoing struggle with grief, expressing the perpetual agony and longing for a future that was abruptly taken away. Pooja’s unwavering determination to advocate for change in legislation and licensing regulations reflects her commitment to preventing similar crimes and protecting others from enduring the same heartbreak she has faced.
Efforts are underway to amend laws related to knife control and sales, including mandatory ID checks at collection points and the establishment of a licensing system for knife sellers and importers. These initiatives aim to enhance safety measures and prevent incidents like Ronan’s tragic death from occurring again.