Indian couple jailed over marriage visa scam wins appeal

A migration agent and his marriage celebrant wife jailed over a marriage visa scam in Brisbane have successfully appealed some of their convictions.

Divya Gowda (left) and Chetan Mashru (right) Source: AAP

Chetan Mashru and Divya Gowda sentenced to jail in February 2017 over 66 charges for organising 16 sham marriages have found some relief.

The couple’s court appeal ruling released on Friday states that the conviction pertaining to sham marriages be set aside, with both acquitted, and a re-trial is ordered on just one of the charges, AAP reported.

In February 2017, Mashru was sentenced to maximum four-and-a-half years in jail and his wife Divya for 18 months behind bars before being released on a three-year good behavior bond.

The court had heard they hooked Indian men desperate to stay in Australia, with Australian women between March 2011 and March 2012.

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