Wolverhampton Mother's Crusade Against Knife Crime After Son's Tragic Death
The mother of a Wolverhampton schoolboy who was stabbed to death in a shocking case of mistaken identity has spoken out about her relentless mission to tackle knife crime and prevent other families from enduring similar heartbreak.
A Devastating Loss in Lanesfield
Ronan Kanda, a 16-year-old student, was walking home from a friend's house in June 2022 when he was fatally attacked with a 20-inch ninja sword just yards from his home on Mount Road in the Lanesfield area. The assailant, Prabjeet Veadhesa, then 17, plunged the weapon into Ronan from behind as the victim listened to music through his headphones.
In a tragic twist, Veadhesa and his accomplice Sukhman Shergill, also 17, had mistaken Ronan for a rival. The sword used in the killing had been purchased using Veadhesa's mother's identification and was handed to him by Post Office workers hours before the murder. Following the attack, the pair returned to Veadhesa's home, ordered a takeaway meal, and played video games, showing no remorse for their actions.
Justice Served and a Mother's Mission
Both Veadhesa and Shergill were detained for life at Wolverhampton Crown Court in 2023. Veadhesa received a minimum term of 18 years, while Shergill was handed a 16-year minimum sentence. Since the tragedy, Ronan's mother Pooja Kanda, 49, has devoted her life to combating knife crime and regulating the online sale of dangerous weapons.
Her advocacy has already led to significant legislative change. Ronan's Law, named in her son's memory, has made it illegal to sell, manufacture, or import ninja swords into the United Kingdom. Last month, Pooja, who still resides on the street where her son was murdered, received an OBE in recognition of her anti-knife crime efforts.
Engaging Parents to Prevent Violence
Pooja and her daughter Nikita regularly visit schools and charitable organizations to speak with young people about the dangers of carrying knives. Now, they are expanding their focus to engage directly with parents, believing that parental involvement is crucial to preventing youth violence.
"Parents are vital. They have a responsibility," Pooja emphasized. "Bringing up a child on this earth and not nurturing them with values causes so much pain. I know it's hard to be a parent, and people say it's hard to bring up a child because people are working all hours. But I was a single mum and I managed to raise two children with respect and values."
She proposes using parents' evenings at schools as ideal opportunities to reach adults. "I would like the schools to come forward and work with us. If we could go into schools on parents' evenings, we'd have a captive audience. A school is a great portal to get that support to parents," she explained.
A Harrowing Courtroom Experience
Pooja described a particularly disturbing moment during the court proceedings that highlighted the need for parental accountability. "I see a lot of parents, especially the murderers' parents, they didn't have any morals or values between them. I saw them, the way they acted during the court case. One of the mothers said to me 'my son hasn't done anything wrong'. That opened my eyes."
She continued with grave concern: "That boy, sitting in his cell for the next 16 years, still doesn't think he's done anything wrong because his mum is there backing him up."
Living with Unending Grief
Pooja spoke candidly about the profound and persistent sorrow she experiences daily. "It doesn't get any easier. It is more difficult than ever. At the beginning you are in shock, you are not thinking that you have lost your son forever. The pain, the loneliness, what he went through, really is painful. It feels like I didn't protect my child, I failed to protect him. Ronan was my life."
She described how her happiness has been irrevocably altered: "When I think back to before the murder, I was such a happy person, we were such a happy family. Now, even when I'm laughing, there's no happiness inside. It's like a continual sentence. There is no happiness. I'm always thinking 'what would he be doing now? What would he be like?'"
Seeing Ronan's friends reach milestones he never will brings fresh waves of grief. "His friends are going to university now, and I'm imagining him when I see them. I imagine his face, what would his hair be like, how tall would he be? Would he be introducing his girlfriend to me? All his future plans, and me being part of that future, has been taken away in one blow."
"I'm broken beyond words, absolutely broken," she confessed. "The grief can suddenly hit me without warning at any moment. His face comes into my head when I least expect it. I do everything in my power to stay strong, because I don't want people to see my tears, but sometimes I can't stop them. It's constant pain, constant darkness."
No Desire for Restorative Justice
Pooja has firmly rejected any possibility of meeting Ronan's killers through restorative justice programs. "I'm aware of restorative justice, and I know some families choose that path. But every parent who has lost a child has their own way of coping and seeking answers. I have found my way as well," she stated.
"For me, the courtroom gave me my answers. I saw everything in there. It was very clear. I saw the video evidence in the court. I heard the evidence too. They were ordering takeaways, playing PlayStation, after knowing they had taken Ronan's life. I never want to meet them or see them again. I'm very clear with my mindset, I saw what they did."
She added with unwavering conviction: "If it wasn't my son it would have been someone else's son, either another mistaken victim or the intended target. Unfortunately on this occasion it was my son, who I really, really, absolutely adored. There is no way I will ever forgive them."
Continuing the Fight for Change
Pooja remains committed to advocating for stronger legislation and improved enforcement measures. Amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, which would mandate collection point sites to verify identification for knife purchases, are currently progressing through the House of Lords. Additionally, the government is conducting a consultation on establishing a licensing system for knife sellers and importers, which would include requirements for age verification and secure packaging.
"I'm never giving up on this," Pooja declared resolutely. "I'm not giving up on the children who deserve to know what we can do to support them." Her determination to create meaningful change serves as both a tribute to her son and a powerful call to action for communities across Wolverhampton and beyond.
