The Lambeth Slavery Case
The Lambeth Slavery Case exposed the horrifying reality of a South London cult, where three women were held captive for over three decades by Aravindan Balakrishnan. Using Maoist ideology and psychological abuse, he maintained a regime of fear and control until the survivors bravely escaped in 2013.

Key details:
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Victims:
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Katy Morgan-Davis, 30 at the time of liberation (pictured).
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Aisha Wahhab, age not specified.
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Josephine Herivel, age not specified.
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Sian Davis (died by a fall)​
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Oh Ka Eng (died from a stroke)
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Perpetrators:
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Aravindan Balakrishnan (Comrade Bala): Born in 1942, the cult leader.
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Chanda Patney (Comrade Chanda): His wife and enforcer, age not specified.
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Date of Liberation: October 25, 2013.
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Location: Peckford Place, Brixton
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Key Facts:
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Founded in the 1970s after Balakrishnan was expelled from the Communist Party of England.
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The group, the Workers’ Institute, was based on Maoist ideologies.
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Members were isolated from society and controlled through fear.
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Balakrishnan claimed supernatural powers, including controlling life and death and influencing world events.
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Followers were subjected to psychological abuse, public punishments, and restricted freedom.
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"JACKIE," a fictional omnipotent force, was used to instil constant fear and obedience.
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Katy Morgan-Davis, Balakrishnan's biological daughter, was born into the cult and denied education, healthcare, and basic freedoms.
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Aisha Wahhab and Josephine Herivel endured decades of abuse and coercive control, unable to escape the commune's grip.
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Sian Davis, Katy’s mother, died in 1997 under suspicious circumstances after an unexplained fall.
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Oka Eng, a follower, died in 2001 after being denied medical treatment for a severe head injury.
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Josephine Herivel contacted the Freedom Charity in October 2013, leading to a police investigation.
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Police conducted a month-long operation before rescuing the three women from a house in Brixton.
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Balakrishnan was arrested in 2013 and charged with multiple crimes, including false imprisonment, child cruelty, and rape.
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In 2015, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being found guilty on numerous counts.
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Balakrishnan died in prison in 2022 at the age of 81.
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Katy Morgan-Davis has since rebuilt her life, becoming an advocate for victims of coercive control and modern slavery.
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Josephine and Aisha have largely stayed out of the public eye, focusing on recovery.