A Sri Lankan migrant has been found to have deliberately fabricated claims of needing constant care after suing the British taxpayer for £7 million. Vengadeswara Raw Gopalakrishnan claimed he suffered a serious and long-term psychiatric injury while detained between September 2013 and February 2014, which left him housebound and requiring 24/7 assistance.
However, evidence presented to the High Court demonstrated that Gopalakrishnan was actively participating in life outside his home, including go-karting, attending the gym, and handling his children's school runs. The Home Office gathered footage showing him driving, exercising, and working as a delivery driver, contradicting his assertion of being unable to care for himself.
Gopalakrishnan, who came to the UK in 2010, overstayed his visa and unsuccessfully claimed asylum. He was granted indefinite leave to remain in 2023. He then initiated legal action against the Home Office, alleging severe depressive illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and an inability to manage daily tasks. He was supported in his claim by Reena Mathew, who acted as his litigation friend, stating he required significant day-to-day support and was unable to perform basic tasks.
Mr. Justice Mansfield, presiding over the case, noted that Gopalakrishnan and Ms. Mathew, who had been in a relationship for over 10 years and had three children together, had acted in concert to pursue the false damages claim. The judge described the waste of public resources and court time over 12 years as "scandalous" and ordered Gopalakrishnan to pay the Home Office's legal costs. He stated that the claimant had "deliberately fabricated or grossly exaggerated his symptoms" for financial gain, deeming his conduct dishonest.
Following the presentation of surveillance evidence, Gopalakrishnan reportedly offered no explanation for the inconsistencies in his account. The court found that he had knowingly participated in providing false accounts and feigning behavior to obtain money from the Home Office.