An Indian national living in New Zealand is set to be deported after immigration authorities rejected his appeal to remain in the country following his conviction for seeking sexual services from a minor.
The man, Nishanth Parakudiyil Prahladan, 25, pleaded guilty to entering into a contract for the provision of sexual services from a child after contacting a 13-year-old girl in 2023.
According to tribunal documents, Prahladan believed the girl was 19 years old when he first made contact and paid NZ$250. He later sent messages and attempted to call her again but did not meet her a second time. Authorities arrested him after uncovering the wider underage sex ring investigation.
In 2025, Prahladan sought a discharge without conviction, arguing that a criminal record would jeopardise his immigration status. However, the court declined the request, convicted him, and sentenced him to six months and two weeks of home detention.
Following the conviction, Immigration New Zealand issued a deportation liability notice. After an administrative review failed, Prahladan appealed to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal on humanitarian grounds.
In his appeal, he argued that he had pleaded guilty without fully understanding the consequences. He also stated that he had been financially supporting his mother, who was undergoing cancer treatment in India, and claimed that deportation would expose him to social stigma and ostracism.
Prahladan further contended that returning to India could make him a target of vigilante groups and significantly reduce his employment prospects.
The tribunal acknowledged that he could face stigma if his conviction became known in India but concluded that these concerns did not amount to exceptional humanitarian circumstances sufficient to overturn the deportation order.
In its ruling, the tribunal noted that he could relocate within India and rebuild his life elsewhere if necessary.
“While having to depart New Zealand earlier than he had planned will be distressing and disappointing for the appellant, the tribunal considers that he has not established circumstances that, either individually or cumulatively, reach the high threshold of exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature,” the decision stated.
The tribunal added that India remained a country with which Prahladan was familiar and where he maintained close family and cultural ties.
However, authorities granted him a six-month work visa, allowing him to remain temporarily in New Zealand to organise his affairs and continue supporting his family before his departure.
The tribunal also observed that available assessments suggested he posed a low risk of reoffending.
“There are clear indications that the appellant is unlikely to reoffend. As such he is unlikely to be a risk to the public during the further period of time that he will be able to remain here,” the ruling said.
Once the temporary visa expires, Prahladan is expected to leave New Zealand and return to India in accordance with the deportation order.
