Hate Crime Charges for Indian-Origin Man Threatening Sikh Organization Employees

June 6 :
Bhushan Athale, a 48-year-old Dallas resident and alleged federal hate crime perpetrator, is facing interstate threats against Sikh charity organisation employees. One allegation of sending an interstate threat to hurt another individual and one count of interfering with federally protected activities by threatening to use a hazardous weapon are both listed in the complaint against him.

Athale called the primary number of a group fighting for the civil rights of Sikh people in the US on September 17, 2022, according to a criminal complaint. In the hour that followed, he threatened to hurt or murder the Sikh employees of the organisation with a razor in seven voicemails brimming with intense animosity.

The Sikh faith was cited in these voicemails, which were profane and contained graphic images of violence. With the Sikhs at the organisation in his sights, Athale planned to "catch" them, "shave" their "top and bottom hair," use a "razor" to make them bald, make them smoke and chew tobacco, and "show [them] the heaven."

Athale left two more voicemails with the same Sikh organisation in March. He once again used graphic violence to convey his hatred of Muslims and Sikhs in his communications. "Catch them and beat them up." He said, among other things, that the Mumbai Police and the Indian government should do just that.

Additional research has shown that Athale has a lengthy history of making remarks and threats that are religiously charged, according to the US Department of Justice. He once told an ex-coworker on a business networking site that he "hate[d] Pakistan" and "hate[d] Muslims," and continued, "I hate you, I just don't know how to kill your whole family including you!." Could you please enlighten me? I will find a way to do it. They will be overjoyed if I employ a Jew.

The maximum sentence for Athale on the accusation of communicating an interstate threat is five years in prison, and for interfering with federally protected activities it is ten years. A fine of up to $250,000 is also possible for both crimes. A judge in a federal district court will use the US Sentencing Guidelines and other considerations set out by statute to decide on a sentence in the event of a conviction. A case was investigated by the Philadelphia Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.