The Indian nationals, detained in relation to an alleged people smuggling case, have told the Suva Magistrates court that they are being paid by the DPP's office to remain in Fiji and claim that they are being kept in Fiji against their will.

Four of the Indian national gave evidence today as the trial resumed this morning.

The witnesses, during cross examination by the Defence counsels admitted that they are being paid $18 a day for giving evidence in the case.

They also said that they told the Immigration Department officials that they want to go back to India but have been told to remain in Fiji until the case is dealt with.

The four witnesses also revealed in court that they paid a man by the name of Tara Chetty Anjaya in India who arranged all their visa's and support letters showing that they are to come to Fiji and work for Ron's Automotive Engineering Company.

However, when they arrived in Fiji, they claimed that they were told by one of the accused persons, Shridhar Nimmagadda that they have to find their own employment.

The four said they never went to Ron's Engineering and could not find any work.

They also confirmed that they did not live with the persons who provided support letters for them but were looked after by Nimmagadda.

All four accused also revealed that they had paid another accused, Rahul Trivedi money to renew their visitor’s visa which was done through the Immigration Department.

Their passports show that the visa's were extended with an Official Immigration stamp for another three months until October 30th.

Also during cross examination, two of the witnesses told the court that during their initial arrest they saw an Immigration official by the name of Mr. Brown, allegedly assault Namagada who fell to the ground.

The Indian Nationals told the court that they were detained at the Central Police Station for 4 days and then at Korovou prison for another 27 days after they were taken into custody on September 10th.

Three local businessmen, Rohit Prasad Trivedi, Satnam Singh, Surendra Menon and Indian national Sridha Nimmagadda are charged with various counts of people smuggling for allegedly luring the 13 Indian Nationals into Fiji after promising them jobs, in exchange for large sums of money.

The case continues this afternoon.