According to Federal police, Pardeep Lohan a 27- year-old man from Lidcombe, Sydney’s west has been charged with allegedly trafficking his wife and a two-month-old daughter from Sydney to India in March this year.
It is alleged that he has used threats, coercion and deception to force them to travel to India and allegedly gave false and misleading information relating to his wife’s visa application to the Immigration Department.
Police will also allege that in order to prevent her from returning to Australia, the two-month-old baby's passport was also removed.
Mr Lohan has been charged with one count of trafficking persons (exit from Australia) from Sydney to India. Federal police has also charged him for using forge documents.
He has faced Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday and he remains on bail. The court was adjourned until December 19. He can then obtain legal representation.
Reports say both the alleged victims have now returned to Australia and are being supported by the governments Support for Trafficked People program.
"This is a reminder that forcing someone to leave Australia using coercion, threats of deception is an offence under our laws, and strict Commonwealth trafficking offences may apply," Detective Superintendent Dan Evans told Sydney Morning Herald.
Mr Lohan has been charged with one count of trafficking in persons (exit from Australia), which holds a maximum penalty of 12 years imprisonment.
He has also been charged with one count of general dishonesty and one count of using forged document, that has maximum penalties of 10 and five years respectively.
