Man forced Indian-born wife to India then allegedly attempted to cancel her Australian visa. PHOTO: REUTERS
Sydney Police have charged a man with human trafficking after the accused forced his wife and two-month-old daughter to travel from Australia to India.
Police say the 27-year-old man forced his wife to leave against her will in March by threatening, coercing and deceiving her.
He then allegedly attempted to cancel his India-born wife's Australian visa. However, police say he failed to cancel the woman's visa and the child's Australian passport.
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The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced a Sydney court on Tuesday on three charges, including human trafficking and forgery of documents.
"It is a disturbing case where we see a victim and their young child transported from Australia to a foreign jurisdiction without any means for them to return home," said Australian Federal Police Supt Dan Evans.
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Upon returning home to Australia, the woman contacted an anti-slavery organisation. The group notified the police.
The man was released on bail and will face a court again later this month.
Australian police believe human trafficking is an under-reported crime in the nation. In the most recent financial year they investigated 150 alleged cases.
This story originally appeared on BBC News
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