BBC Breakfast issued a tragic death announcement just minutes into the show.

 

Sally Nugent and Jon Kay

BBC Breakfast was halted for some tragic news (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast issued a devastating announcement just moments into the show on Tuesday, March 17. Sally Nugent announced that Parmod Kalia, who was a victim of the Post Office scandal, has died. He was still waiting for compensation for being wrongly convicted in the Post Office scandal. Parmod Kalia had his conviction overturned in 2021, 20 years after being sentenced to six months in jail after being falsely accused of stealing £22,000.

Paying tribute, Graham Satchell said during the news report: “Parmod Calia was a quiet, dignified family man whose life was ruined by the post office IT scandal. He was wrongly accused of stealing more than £20,000 and sentenced to six months in prison. It was the ITV drama Mr Bates versus the post office that brought a laser focus to this scandal. Hundreds and hundreds of sub postmasters were wrongly accused of fraud and theft.”

Parmod Kalia on BBC Breakfast

Post Office victim Parmod Kalia has died aged 67 (Image: BBC)

Parmod arrived at the post office enquiry, his evidence was at times raw and difficult to watch. He explained how his union rep had told him to pay the money back, plead guilty and hope for a shorter sentence.

“Last year, Parmod was part of a choir made up of victims and families of the post office scandal that reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent.

“Post office scandal had a significant impact on Parmod’s physical and mental health. He was just 67 when he died.

Parmod Kalia’s lawyer said on camera: “What’s sickening and shocking is the post office and DBT playing the long game and just

extending things out. And sadly, Mr Cully is no longer with us. So he will never see justice done. And his poor relatives have to take on the battle. And it’s a fierce battle, I can assure you.

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The report finished: “Parmod did live to see the post office enquiry publish its report. But in the end, he was still left with questions. Justice needs to be done. We need to find out from the post office what’s happening there. What happened? Why? Why did they do this to so many innocent people?”

During a previous interview, Parmod tearfully said: “They broke me. They ruined me. Twenty-two odd years. Lost. Never going to get that time back with a family, with work or anything.”