Four men appeared before Magistrate Eparama Rokoika today charged with smuggling of migrants from India.

The four are Rohit Trivedi, Sridhar Nimmagadda, Satnam Singh and Surendra Menon are alleged to have promised employment to 12 Indian Nationals to work in Fiji.  

In court today two witnesses Barbara Berchy and Obadiah Tully who are part of the 12 were called to testify.

Berchy told the court that all the arrangements were made in India by Sridhar to come to Fiji and to work.

She was given a 6 month visa from the 29th July this year to the 25th January next year.

She told the court that she came with her husband, but he had to return to India as he suffered from Yellow Fever and needed to be treated in India.

Tully told the court that after staying in a house at Laucala Beach for a month, the job promised to them was not given.

He told the court on the 10th September, an Immigration officer visited him and others and took them to Nadi, then back to Suva to take down a statement at the CID office.

Tully said he was scared when they were detained at Lami Police Station for a night.