A man has been accused of human trafficking after allegedly leaving his wife and newborn baby stranded in India.
The 35-year-old, who remains on bail and has not been named to protect his wife's identity, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 28, charged with exit trafficking.
Police allege that in September 2024, the man and his wife travelled to India for the birth of the couple's child.
While in India, the man allegedly told his wife he was going back to Australia for work but would return for the birth of their child.
However, the man did not return to India for their son's birth and in April 2025, police allege he fraudulently cancelled his wife's visa application and blocked her contact number.
Police said the woman was able to return to Australia in August 2025, but their son remained in India.
The woman contacted the police in March 2026 when she believed her husband was planning their travel back to India so he could leave her again. Officers found the man on April 14 and arrested him.
On Thursday, his defence lawyer asked for the case to be adjourned for four weeks to finalise documents.
The deputy registrar granted the adjournment, and his case will return at a later date.
Exit trafficking, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in jail, occurs when an offender uses coercion, threats, or deception to organise the exit, or proposed exit, of a victim from Australia.
The person may take the victim's passport or money or cancel their Australian visa while they're overseas.
