BAKERSFIELDF – A Indo-American man is accused of plotting to assault a Sikh man and kidnap his children to punish his niece for marrying out of her social class.
Investigators think a culture clash may be behind the attempted kidnapping and assault. It allegedly happened one year ago at the Sikh Temple in Bakersfield.
Nirmal Sehmbey was in court Tuesday and pleaded not guilty. Manjit Singh says Sehmbey is his wife’s uncle. He says last year, Sehmbey hired two men to assault him and kidnap his children because Singh is in a different social class than his wife.
Sehmbey pleaded not guilty in court to three felony charges including criminal conspiracy and terrorist threats. Detectives say last year, Sehmbey also ordered the men to steal Singh’s turban to humiliate him.
But, Sehmbey’s defense attorney says there is more to the story. “We intend to disprove these allegations, as well as impeach the credibility of the victim. One of the things he failed to say is there has been an ongoing dispute between himself and my client Mr. Sehmbey and there is a lot of other elements that need to be brought out before a jury,” said David Torres, Defense Attorney.
“I don’t believe in those things. I am living in America. I don’t care what caste is, your religion is, what your color is. I don’t care,” said Singh.
Detectives say text messages indicate Sehmbey paid one of the men $1,000 to carry out the assault. The men suspected of assaulting Singh pleaded no contest to assault and battery charges. A trial for Sehmbey is expected to begin in June.
