Indian authorities are seeking the deportation of an Indian national from New Zealand following allegations of domestic violence, dowry-related abuse, financial fraud and immigration misrepresentation made by his former wife.
According to a report by the New Zealand Herald, the woman, referred to as Pooja*, says the fallout from her arranged marriage has left her dealing with years of legal proceedings, financial liabilities and court documents.
Documents reviewed by the Herald show Indian authorities have asked New Zealand officials to deport her former husband, Raj*, who is wanted in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation in India.
According to an Indian police summary provided to New Zealand authorities, Raj allegedly entered the marriage as a “pre-planned scheme for financial and immigration benefits, falsely portrayed as genuine,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Indian police also accused him of “using international borders to escape legal consequences”.
In April last year, a central north India police sub-inspector asked New Zealand authorities to cancel Raj’s visa and deport him.
“As he is not co-operating in the investigation, so kindly cancel his current visa and deport him to India,” the officer wrote, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Indian authorities also alleged that Raj’s passport had been cancelled after he failed to co-operate with a summons or warrant issued by an Indian court.
According to the New Zealand Herald, Pooja has further accused her former husband of taking about $100,000 worth of her gold jewellery.
Raj confirmed to the Herald that court proceedings relating to Pooja’s allegations were taking place in India, but denied wrongdoing.
“I was asked to return to India ... But there was no evidence they found that I did domestic violence.
“My passport is expired, but my lawyer is there attending every single court hearing, my parents are attending every single court hearing,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
The Herald also viewed an Indian newspaper advertisement in which Raj’s parents said they had disowned him. Raj said this was done as a legal precaution so his family would not become responsible for payments claimed by his former wife.
He also acknowledged withholding child support payments in New Zealand during a dispute over access to their child, but said he would now make the payments.
Although dowry was criminalised in India in 1961, advocates say the practice continues and can affect Indian families living in New Zealand.
Shakti, an organisation working with Asian, African and Middle Eastern communities affected by domestic and sexual violence, said more than 75% of Indian victims who approached the organisation had reported dowry abuse, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Lead counsellor Shila Nair said demands could involve cash, jewellery, vehicles, land or contributions towards a house.
According to the New Zealand Herald, dowry abuse could also include verbal and physical abuse, threats, psychological and financial abuse, withdrawal of visa sponsorship and threats of deportation, she said.
“Men who hold New Zealand residency or citizenship can command higher dowry.
“There are several instances of Indian men going to India to get into arranged marriages with dowry, then bringing their wives to New Zealand and continuing to harass them for more dowry. In many such cases, dowry is used as a bargaining chip in return for permanent residency status,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Nair said women arriving in New Zealand through cultural marriage arrangements could become particularly vulnerable if their husbands threatened to withdraw sponsorship.
“Most often, she may not have family or friends in New Zealand, and she remains isolated,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Pooja said pressure over gifts and dowry began while she and Raj were still getting to know each other before their arranged marriage.
The pair had been introduced by a colleague of Pooja’s father. At the time, Pooja had a professional career in India, while Raj was living in New Zealand.
She said Raj’s family initially framed their requests as gifts associated with religious rituals.
“In the name of god, this god particularly, we need this kind of clothing. We need this kind of jewellery for this god,” she alleged his family told her, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
She said further requests were made around religious occasions and celebrations.
The New Zealand Herald quoted her as saying, “We were working on the foundation [of the relationship] at that time. So, the gifts were to give a good start to the relationship and for certain rituals”.
Pooja said she became increasingly close to Raj through online conversations and later became pregnant shortly after their wedding.
After Raj returned to New Zealand, she alleged his family continued making dowry demands.
Raj denied this.
“She doesn’t have any proof; she just has allegations,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
He said he had given Pooja more than $50,000 during the first two years of their marriage and claimed he had evidence to support this, although he later said his lawyer had advised him not to provide the documents.
Raj said his family knew accepting dowry was illegal.
“Maybe if she was not an educated person, maybe they would have accepted these [gifts].
“These are all fake allegations, no proof,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Pooja said her experience changed after she moved to New Zealand, where she felt isolated from her family and support network.
“Here, I have no family support. I was isolated in a state of fear, with no friends, no family,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
She later made a formal statement to New Zealand Police alleging physical abuse.
Pooja also believed her education and professional background had benefited Raj's residency plans. She alleged that her wedding jewellery was placed in the care of a family member in India but was never returned.
“It was a mental trap for me. I was having a child and everything with him.
“I was not allowed to talk to anyone. It was a mental prison,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Pooja said that as conflict within the relationship increased, Raj suggested they move permanently to India so he could establish a business.
She secured a job there and moved ahead of Raj, who followed about two months later.
“It was not easy, but I got selected. Once I got selected, he was very relaxed and very happy,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
However, the relationship ended in July 2024 when Raj returned to New Zealand, Pooja said.
She said she subsequently discovered financial commitments had allegedly been taken out in her name without her knowledge.
“I was howling, crying, emotionally devastated. I didn’t know how to process the information that he abandoned me and my baby. I was completely in a mental breakdown.
“I felt shocked, betrayed, and extremely anxious.
“My husband had been managing our financial matters since the beginning of the marriage, including handling both his accounts and my accounts,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Pooja said she had trusted Raj with financial matters while concentrating on her pregnancy, raising their child and maintaining her career.
She said she became aware of the extent of the debts after a bank contacted her in late 2024 over missed repayments.
“I discovered that a Thar vehicle loan had also been taken in my name without my knowledge. I do not drive,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
The vehicle loan, worth about $21,500, had been issued in March 2024.
“I felt deeply distressed and overwhelmed. I could not understand how my identity and financial records could be used to take loans without my full knowledge,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
She also discovered a life insurance policy taken out in her name. A March 2022 document showed a payment of just under $200,000 would go to Raj if Pooja died.
With financial help from her family, Pooja said she settled the vehicle loan for about $19,500 after the lender agreed to reduce the amount because of her “extraordinary circumstances”.
“I felt trapped because the debts were legally connected to my name, while the money had [allegedly] been used by him or his family,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Raj disputed her account of the vehicle loan, saying Pooja knew about it and that he had evidence to prove this. No evidence was provided to support the claim.
He also said both he and Pooja had provided money to their parents.
“I have never done any life insurance,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Pooja made a formal complaint to Indian police in early 2024, alleging domestic violence, dowry abuse, financial abuse and immigration fraud.
A summary of her allegations was subsequently provided to New Zealand authorities in May 2025.
Indian police alleged she had been “subjected to severe domestic violence, financial exploitation, immigration fraud and misrepresentation and emotional trauma throughout her marriage,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
The police summary described the marriage as a “pre-planned scheme for financial and immigration benefits, falsely portrayed as genuine”.
“From the very beginning, it was a deeply troubled marriage, marked by manipulation, coercion, emotional abuse, and calculated deception,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
The summary alleged Raj sold Pooja’s jewellery, obtained loans using her identity and left India with the intention of avoiding legal accountability.
“His actions demonstrate a deliberate attempt to evade legal accountability in India while continuing to pursue immigration status in New Zealand under false pretences [sic], misleading both Indian and New Zealand authorities,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Pooja also approached New Zealand Police in October 2024 with allegations involving financial irregularities, domestic violence and emotional abuse.
New Zealand Police declined to investigate, saying one of the complaints did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution and was considered a civil matter.
Immigration New Zealand said it was aware of correspondence received in 2025 relating to an Indian national and allegations originating overseas.
INZ national complaints and resolutions privacy manager Debbie Frew said the agency reviewed the information when it was received.
“INZ reviewed the information at the time it was received. Based on the information available at that time, there was insufficient evidence to take immediate immigration action,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Frew said the matter had been referred for further internal assessment.
“We cannot provide specific details or comment on this matter due to ongoing assessment and privacy considerations,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
She said immigration authorities generally assess cases involving visa holders who may face criminal charges to determine whether deportation liability exists under the Immigration Act.
“Allegations of harm are taken seriously. Immigration decisions must be based on evidence and meet the legal thresholds set out in the Immigration Act,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
She added that alleged offending occurring overseas remained primarily the responsibility of the relevant foreign authorities.
New Zealand Police said it received an unverified email in March 2025 from someone claiming to be an Indian police officer.
“This was sent to a shared inbox and was appropriately forwarded to Interpol Wellington the following day. Interpol Wellington advised the original sender that the appropriate course of action was to take up their request via Interpol New Delhi,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Pooja said the ongoing legal and financial issues had affected her career and left her reliant on benefits.
“I am living on benefits, and he is not paying for his child. The New Zealand taxpayer shouldn’t be liable for my child’s survival; it should be his father,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Despite the difficulties, she said she wanted to use her experience to raise awareness about the challenges faced by migrant women experiencing abuse.
“This is not only about me. I can survive on not much food, but I want to fight for other women also,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
*The couple’s names have been changed.