An Indian restaurant chain in New Zealand has forfeited properties worth $8 million in a settlement with the government after being accused of tax evasion and immigration-related offending.
The New Zealand High Court approved the Feb 9 settlement on Tuesday, saying the settlement reduces the “ability of those associated with the criminal activity to continue with that criminal enterprise,” reported.
Joti Jain and Rajwinder Grewal, managers at the Masala restaurants were sentenced by the Auckland District Court in October 2015 for exploitation of staff and immigration-related charges.
Their victims, four Indian and Indian-Fijian nationals were promised visas in exchange for their work at the restaurant. Some of the workers told the court they were working 11 hours a day, six days a week.
Gagandeep Singh, a worker at the restaurant, the court documents recorded, was paid $250 a week. Rajwinder Grewal had told him he wouldn’t be paid for the first two weeks as it was his training.
Another waitress, Robin was paid $201 a week for working an 11-hour shift six days a week, which works out roughly $3 an hour.
JotiJain was and 220 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay $58,000 in reparations.
Grewal was and pay $4781 in reparations.
Investigations against the restaurant chain began in 2012 which led the Inland Revenue, Immigration and the Department of Labour to “widespread and systemic tax evasion” and immigration-related violations at Masala restaurants.
In December 2015, a court allowed the police to restrain 34 residential properties linked to the Masala Restaurants.
The High Court decision on Tuesday has approved the forfeiture of several of those properties owned by several businesses and individuals linked the restaurant chain.
