A man jailed for repeatedly raping and assaulting his wife soon after their arranged-marriage honeymoon will be deported to India once he completes his prison sentence, after New Zealand’s Immigration and Protection Tribunal dismissed his bid to stay in the country.
As per NZ Herald, the man originally from Punjab — whose name remains suppressed — argued that he should not be deported because of his long residence in New Zealand, his close family ties, and the investments he had made.
The man told officials he had “nothing to return to in India”. However, the tribunal found no humanitarian grounds strong enough to prevent his removal, despite letters of support from community members and evidence from a psychologist.
He was sentenced in April 2023 to seven years and 10 months in prison after a jury found him guilty of rape, unlawful sexual connection, two charges of male assaults female and two charges of injuring with intent to injure.
The tribunal’s decision noted that he later claimed he did not realise consent was required within marriage and believed controlling his wife’s behaviour was “within his rights”. The abuse began soon after the couple’s honeymoon and continued until his wife fled to a women’s refuge.
As per NZ Herald, the man’s parents were also charged over related offending; his mother’s charges were dropped, and his father was discharged without conviction. The man then unsuccessfully appealed his conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal. Immigration NZ later issued a deportation liability notice.
In appealing deportation, he presented support from his gurdwara president, Mr Singh, who said the man had endured significant hardship in custody, including the death of his mother.
As per NZ Herald, clinical psychologist Greg Woodcock said the man had responded well to therapy despite the challenges of working through an interpreter.
Documents submitted by supporters described him as “kind, hard-working and generous”, and emphasised that his sister in New Zealand relied on him emotionally and financially.
The NZ Herald reports that the tribunal chair Judge Martin Treadwell said that while deportation would separate him from his family and community, it did not amount to “exceptional humanitarian circumstances”. The judge noted that he remained capable of rebuilding his life in India, and that the family’s New Zealand home — with about $200,000 in equity — could help him resettle.
The tribunal removed the usual prohibition on re-entry, meaning he may apply for a visa to visit his father and sister in the future, subject to Immigration NZ approval. His statutory release date is September 2030, after which he will be deported to India.
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