Indian Man to Be Deported From New Zealand After Being Caught in Underage Sex Ring, Says He Would Face Stigma Back Home

A 25-year-old Indian migrant worker, Nishanth Parakudiyil Prahladan, is set to be deported from New Zealand after pleading guilty to charges related to seeking sex from a minor. Prahladan had contacted a 13-year-old girl in 2023, believing her to be an adult, and paid her $250. Although he did not meet the girl, he was arrested and charged with entering into a contract for sexual services from a minor.

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While having to depart New Zealand earlier than he had planned will be distressing and disappointing for the appellant, the tribunal considers that he has not established circumstances that, either individually or cumulatively, reach the high threshold of exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature

He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to six months and two weeks of home detention. This conviction triggered a deportation liability notice from Immigration New Zealand. Prahladan had initially sought a discharge without conviction, fearing the impact on his visa status, but this was denied.

Appealing the deportation order on humanitarian grounds, Prahladan argued that he pleaded guilty without fully understanding the proceedings and that returning to India would expose him to significant stigma and ostracism. He also expressed concerns about potential vigilante actions and difficulties in finding employment back home, noting he was sending money to support his mother's cancer treatment.

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Further, a return to India will be a return to the country with which he remains familiar and retains close familial and cultural ties.

However, the Immigration and Protection Tribunal found his circumstances insufficient to cancel the deportation. While acknowledging the potential distress and disappointment of leaving New Zealand, the tribunal stated that Prahladan had not met the high threshold for exceptional humanitarian circumstances. The tribunal granted him a six-month work visa to allow him time to finalize his affairs before his return to India, noting he was unlikely to reoffend.

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There are clear indications that the appellant is unlikely to reoffend. As such he is unlikely to be a risk to the public during the further period of time that he will be able to remain here.