A man jailed for the rape and repeated abuse of his wife has lost his appeal against deportation, with the Immigration and Protection Tribunal ruling that his circumstances did not meet the threshold for “exceptional humanitarian” grounds.
The offender, who came to New Zealand around a decade ago, travelled to India for an arranged marriage before returning with his wife. Soon after her arrival, he subjected her to sustained sexual and physical violence. The abuse continued until she fled the family home and sought safety in a women’s refuge.
In April 2023, the man was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in prison after a jury found him guilty of rape, unlawful sexual connection, male assaults female, and injuring with intent to injure.
According to tribunal findings, he later claimed he did not realise consent was required within marriage and believed controlling his wife’s behaviour was within his rights.
His parents were also charged over offences relating to the same victim, although charges against his mother were dropped and his father was discharged without conviction.
Following his conviction, Immigration New Zealand ruled he was liable for deportation. His appeals to both the Court of Appeal and the tribunal were unsuccessful. During the deportation appeal, supporters — including his gurdwara president Daljeet Singh and clinical psychologist Greg Woodcock — argued that he had suffered hardship in prison, responded well to therapy, and remained a crucial support for his sister and father in New Zealand. Letters from supporters described him as “kind, hardworking, and generous”.
However, tribunal chair Judge Martin Treadwell said the evidence did not demonstrate exceptional humanitarian circumstances. While deportation would separate him from his sister, his father could choose whether to stay in New Zealand or return to India. The family’s $200,000 equity in their home could also help the man resettle overseas. Judge Treadwell noted the man’s community ties and mental-health concerns but said there was insufficient corroboration to outweigh the seriousness of his offending.
The tribunal removed the re-entry ban that would normally apply, meaning he may apply for a visitor visa in future.
His statutory release date is September 2030, after which he will be deported.
Is this the first time someone has been deported from NZ, I cant remember another?
A great loss
How will we ever recover?
Still heaps left that need to go.
We are a waste disposal unit for the filth of filthy cultures. Hope the Maori boys in Prison beat the shit outta him.
“All cultures are equal”
Common sense from NZ courts, a rare occurrence but one I’d personally like to see more of.