Change.org petition was started by Houston-area South Asians.
A change.org petition started by a group of South Asian Americans in the greater Houston area is seeking the immediate ouster of Sunil Thakkar, a noted radio jockey with Masala Radio.
The 51-year-old Thakkar was placed on a five-year probation and was registered as a lifetime sex offender after he pleaded guilty last October to sexually assaulting a minor girl.
The court also sentenced Thakkar to 10 days in Harris County Jail, a fine of $1,500, and community service for 120 hours.
According to court documents, the assault happened in February 2017, when the parents of the 15-year-old girl found Thakkar’s name in their daughter’s diary when she was away.
Though the prosecution produced the girl’s diary and her statement, it couldn’t come up with enough evidence to prove the guilt. The defense brought more information leading to deferment of adjudication instead of jail time.
Harris County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Sanchez prosecuted the case and Attorney Asha Reddi represented Thakkar.
The petitioners identify themselves as “a collective of diverse individuals from the greater Houston area and the heterogeneous South Asian American community.â€
Also read:Â Indian American radio host pleads guilty to sexual assault in Houston
They allege that despite the guilty verdict of the court, Masala Radio continues to endorse events and brands with Thakkar as its mascot.
The petition reads, “By keeping a sex offender on air and conducting business as usual, Masala Radio and all Masala Radio advertisers implicitly condone the criminal behavior. Additionally, when organizations and businesses utilize Masala Radio for advertising services and collectively plan events with Masala Radio without calling for accountability, they directly align themselves with a sex offender.”
The petition also asks Masala Radio to reconsider the face of their brand by removing the “registered sex offender.†It also calls cultural organizations, advertisers, and small businesses to put pressure on the organization to make the change, or severe ties with the radio station.
“In this era of ‘me too,’ as other sexual assault offenders are rightfully removed from leadership and employment positions, it is time for our community to acknowledge ‘we too’ will take some action,†the petition reads. “Anything less communicates a deafening silence to survivors and all of the young children looking to us as models. #timesupthakkar #stepdownsunilâ€
3 Comments
Nobody on Gods earth would EVER admit to sexual assault of a minor to ‘protect the families’. Lets stop the BS pretend game. His wife is so dumb she’s looked past all of his illicit behaviour with blinders on while he is having sex with girls younger than his own children. Knew him in college and he was a perv then and he is a perv now. And his wife was an idiot then and she’s an idiot now.
Sunil Thakkar is a scoundrel and I am not in the least bit surprised that he would commit this kind of felony. I cannot believe that a rapist got such a light sentence. He should have received a sentence of 10 years minimum.
“Though the prosecution produced the girl’s diary and her statement, it couldn’t come up with enough evidence to prove the guilt. The defense brought more information leading to deferment of adjudication instead of jail time.”
This statement in the article is not accurate. There was no adjudication of the evidence to reach a verdict. If the defense had more evidence than the prosecution, then there should have been a trial and Sunil Thakkar would not have pleaded guilty.
The prosecution suggested a guilty plea to avoid a trial. The defense did not want a trial. Also, the defense got minimal sentencing. That is why Sunil Thakkar pleaded guilty.