AN Indian restaurant's licence has been suspended by New Forest District councillors after owners were found to have employed illegal workers.

The Indian Tree at Market Place - 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 anymore," 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 of 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.

The Daily Echo approached Mr Bachhu 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 is given to whether the personal licence held by Mr Bachhu should be reviewed.

New conditions were also added to the licence. It was decided that:

  • The designated premises supervisor undertakes full responsibility for the recruitment of all workers employed at the premises on a full time or temporary basis
  • The designated premises supervisor undertake right to work checks on all staff employed at the licensed premises
  • That copies of any document checked as part of a right to work are retained at the premises at all times the premises are open
  • That copies of the right to work documentation are made available for inspection, without notice at any time, to the Licensing Authority, the Home Office and the police.