The infamous Maoist cult leader Aravindan Balakrishnan shuffled off this mortal coil in his prison cell about two years ago, and now an inquest has heard the details of his death. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of this story. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of extremist ideologies and the devastating impact they can have on innocent lives. So, buckle up and prepare for a journey into the twisted world of “Comrade Bala” and his reign of terror.
The Rise of a Tyrant
Aravindan Balakrishnan, known to his followers as “Comrade Bala,” established the Workers’ Institute of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought in Brixton, South London, in 1974. What started as a fringe political group quickly devolved into a secretive cult, with Balakrishnan at its helm. He reportedly idolized authoritarian figures such as Chairman Mao, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, and Saddam Hussein, molding his own leadership style after these brutal dictators.
Cult leader died in prison cell bed, inquest hears https://t.co/yn6wy7fjC7
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) August 1, 2024
To maintain control over his followers, Balakrishnan invented an invisible war machine named Jackie, which he claimed could read minds and inflict harm on those who disobeyed him. This fictitious device served as a tool of psychological manipulation, keeping his disciples in a constant state of fear and submission.
The Fall from Grace
Balakrishnan’s reign of terror came to an end when he was arrested and subsequently jailed for 23 years in 2016. His crimes were numerous and heinous, including assaults, child cruelty, and keeping his own daughter captive for three decades.
“It was horrible, so dehumanising and degrading,” his daughter, Katy Morgan-Davies said while opening up about her experience. “I felt like a caged bird with clipped wings.”
Morgan-Davies bravely spoke out about the abuse she endured at the hands of her father. Her testimony shed light on the horrific conditions within the cult and the lasting psychological damage inflicted upon its victims.
The Final Chapter
On April 8, 2022, Aravindan Balakrishnan was found dead in his cell at HMP Dartmoor. The inquest into his death recently revealed that the once-powerful cult leader had become a shadow of his former self.
The inquest heard that Balakrishnan was described before his death as “pretty frail.”
Coroner Philip Spinney concluded that Balakrishnan died of natural causes, with the primary cause being a lower respiratory tract infection. Secondary factors included vascular dementia, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. No external injuries were found.
The coroner stated that “Aravindan Balakrishnan was discovered deceased in his cell at HMP Dartmoor where he was serving a sentence of imprisonment. He died of natural causes and my overall conclusion will be natural causes.”
The man who once commanded absolute loyalty from his followers died alone, with no family members attending his inquest. The legacy of “Comrade Bala” serves as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of unchecked authority and the importance of remaining vigilant against those who seek to exploit and control others.
Sources
- Cult leader died in prison cell bed, inquest hears
- Maoist cult leader was found dead in bed in prison cell, inquest hears
- Maoist cult leader was found dead in prison cell bed, inquest hears
- Cult leader who kept daughter captive for 30 years died of ‘natural’ causes
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Katy Morgan-Davies talks about her experience and journey to forgiveness:
"I decided to forgive and everything changed from that point" – Katy Morgan-Davies was kept prisoner for 30 years by her own father inside a Maoist cult in London. #newsnight pic.twitter.com/TQjzU7zB90
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) April 27, 2018
