An Indian-origin couple in the United Kingdom were sentenced after running companies for more than five years despite being legally banned from doing so. Bharat Jogia, 71, from the West Midlands region of England, was disqualified as a company director for 13 years in 2014. He pleaded guilty to disqualification after admitting that he caused Jogia Jewelers (UK) Ltd to falsely claim more than £2 million from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as part of a tax fraud scheme.Despite the ban, Jogia continued to control two pharmaceutical companies, Diamond Pharma Ltd and BHJ Consulting Ltd. His actions came to light when both companies later ran into financial difficulty.Jogia’s wife, Louise Jogia, 57, was convicted of aiding her husband. She was listed as the official director of BHJ Consulting, but it was her husband who actually ran the business.Mark Stephens, chief investigator for the Insolvency Service, said: “Bharat Jogia has shown complete contempt for the law by breaching the disqualification ban imposed on his director for more than five years.” She added: “Louise Jogia acted as a front to protect her husband, signing documents and providing assistance where necessary.”Stephens said ignoring disqualifications is a serious offense and damages confidence in UK business.Jogia’s original disqualification would have prevented him from running, managing or promoting any company registered in the UK until 2027. He was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. Jogia will also have to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work and will be banned from becoming a company director for the next 10 years.His wife was sentenced to seven months in prison, also suspended for 18 months, and given a 10-year director ban.The couple avoid jail only if they do not commit any further crimes and follow court orders.Records show that Jogia had signed a disqualification agreement in June 2014 admitting his role in the fraudulent claims for Jogia Jewelers (UK) Ltd. The agreement prohibited him from being involved in the formation, marketing or management of any company.Investigators found that from the beginning of his disqualification until mid-2019, Jogia continued to operate Diamond Pharma and BHJ Consulting in all but name. He instructed lawyers, approved accounts, authorized agreements and managed staff at Diamond Pharma, receiving over £80,000 in consultancy fees.“Under Jogia’s management, Diamond Pharma Ltd also accumulated more than £445,000 in tax debt,” the Insolvency Service said. As a result HMRC took steps to wind up the company.For BHJ Consulting, Lewis Jogia provided the company’s trading history to the liquidators. Although she was listed as a director, tasks such as giving instructions, decisions on IT and supplier payments were performed by her husband. Bank records also revealed that the company account was used to pay the couple’s personal bills.
