Rakesh Sharma, a journalist from Kurukshetra in the north Indian state of Haryana, was charged with an aggravated people smuggling offence after using fake media accreditation for the eight men who were taken into immigration detention for deportation to India.
The 46-year-old will continue to remain in custody for six more weeks after the case at Brisbane Magistrates Court was adjourned at the request of Commonwealth prosecutors as the Australian Federal Police is still preparing their brief of evidence, with information from a laptop and nine mobile phones, AAP reported.
He is also accused of causing to present false or forged documents on behalf of the eight men who travelled with him.
According to the Australian Border Force, the men (all aged between 18 and 37) Mr Sharma allegedly brought to Australia, were found to have fraudulent foreign media credentials upon questioning. The ABF said an airline liaison officer in Bangkok had alerted them to the group in transit through Thailand.
Rakesh Sharma had travelled to Australia before as well and his Facebook timeline has his photos in the Commonwealth Games office on the Gold Coast. He held a genuine media accreditation to cover the Commonwealth Games.
Mr Sharma could get 20 years in jail if he is found guilty of the people smuggling charge.
