Police improper in deportation case

An investigation into the conduct of police officers, acting on behalf of immigration officials, has found police exceeded their powers when they forced a Te Puke woman to sign deportation papers.

The investigation was launched by the Police Conduct Authority and Immigration New Zealand following allegations from Pooja Kapila about two police officers' conduct, leading to her being injured in October 21.


Deepak Kumar, left, Pooja Kapila, who was injured after being forced to sign deportation papers, and Marilynn Williams.

The immigration officers wanted Pooja to sign deportation papers and when she refused, the attending police officers engaged.

Neighbour, and witness to the altercation, Marilynn Williams, says Pooja was sitting at the table when the officers stood either side of her.

'She had her fist clenched tightly and the male officer grabbed her by the wrist,” says Marilynn.

'He tried to get her thumb out, but it was tucked under her fingers.

'The female officer then pulled her index finger right back while the male officer pulled out her thumb – they then put ink on it and placed it on the paper.”
Deepak Kumar also witnessed the incident and says he called the Kapila's immigration lawyer straight away.
'I asked if police could do that and he said ‘no'.

'So I went inside and asked the police officers if they are allowed to use force and they said they were acting on the orders from the immigration officer.”

Pooja suffered swelling and tenderness and her hand was still wrapped in a sling two weeks after the incident.

In another victory for the family, Pooja's husband, Satinder Kapila, has also been released from prison, where he had been awaiting deportation since his arrest on October 18.

Satinder was due to be deported on November 25, but the Indian High Commission refused to issue travel documents.

The family has been involved in an immigration battle ever since and has been making appeals for Satinder's release – something Pooja is very happy about.

She says all she ever wanted was for him to come home.

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7 comments

More wasted money

Posted on 03-02-2012 12:53 | By bmannz

Why can't they just leave our country when asked. They just cost us tax payers more money to keep them in Jail, and then the medical bills associated with a "tenderness of the hand".


our law

Posted on 03-02-2012 13:24 | By hapukafin

I agree with you bmannz.If Pooja had the intellegence to travel to NZ she must surly be aware that when her visa expired she must leave the country.This applies to all overstayers,no excuses.We have enough problem sopporting our own country.If a Kiwi was a over stayer in India I bet the Indian authorities would very quickly issue deportation documents and you would be on the next plane out of the country.


Posted on 03-02-2012 14:00 | By shooterm92

Why is that if a kiwi did this we would be told by the judge we were resisting the police and get put in jail and this woman does it and the police are in trouble and whats more I think they should just live our way or get out and take the rest of them with them. Actually they should all leave and stop taking our jobs


OVERSTAY IN INDIA

Posted on 03-02-2012 14:45 | By patricia1955

I what the treatment would be if we overstayed in India. I imagine a lot harsher than what the NZ police give out. Maybe this is why we have so many overstayers because the guilty are never in the wrong.


I don't understand

Posted on 03-02-2012 15:20 | By Thoughtful

why an overstayer (if that is the case) has to sign permission for them to be deported? Surely if they have no legal right to remain in NZ they have no right to remain in NZ whether they agree or not.


Posted on 03-02-2012 15:43 | By Kiwis

Agreed. Our lovely country has enough financial burdens without having to deal with the likes of this. In a sling for 2 weeks because of a strained thumb! ACC would have had you back at work well within that time frame..... if you actually worked!


to soft

Posted on 03-02-2012 18:39 | By Capt_Kaveman

and overstayer has no rights and she should have been detained on the spot for imediate deportation


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