Indian restaurant's licence suspended after illegal worker raids

The Indian Tree in Market Place, Ringwood – owned by Adib Ahmed Bachhu – was raided by immigration officers on April 27 this year.

Two men were arrested, one for having overstayed his visa and the other for having entered the country without leave.

In a report put forward by immigration officer Trevor Pleydell, he claimed that Mr Bachhu was asked about the workers’ employment and denied all involvement even after having been shown photographs of those arrested.

“He was asked about his relationship to the business claiming that he bought the business from a Mohammed Miah for £0 as he could not run it any more,” the report said.

“He was asked about employment of staff and claimed that he was responsible for the employment of all staff on site and that he has kept copies of relevant documents for them.”

April’s raid was the latest in a long line of similar incidents in the restaurant’s history, the report revealed.

In June 2012, five people were found to be working illegally and were arrested. It resulted in the business being fined £25,000.

Six people were arrested for similar offences in April 2015 – incurring a £75,000 fine – and four people were identified as illegal workers in March 2016, leading to a £60,000 fine. One person was also found to be working illegally in October 2016, leading to a £10,000 fine. All fines, the report claims, have yet to be paid.

Mr Bachhu was approached for comment on the matter but he had not responded at the time of going to press.

New Forest District Council reviewed the premises’ licence at their sub-committee meeting on Friday, May 18.

Members suspended the premises’ licence for three months.

It was decided that Mr Bachhu will be removed as designated premises’ supervisor and the sub-committee recommended that consideration was given to whether the personal licence held by Mr Bachhu should be reviewed.

New conditions were also added to the licence.