Indian journalist arrested for smuggling fake journalists into Australia

An Indian journalist has been charged after he attempted to smuggle fake journalists for the Commonwealth Games in Australia. Rakesh Kumar Sharma who works with a newspaper in Chandigarh will spend 6 more weeks in custody after the case was adjourned.

He was charged with people smuggling and falsifying documents in late March after allegedly using fake media credentials for eight people, who were taken into immigration detention.

Sharma, 46 was remanded in custody by the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Hearing on the case would resume on June 22. He is alleged to have arranged for the group to come to Australia. He was also charged with filing a form he knew was forged. The form he filled was to enable the group to get visas to stay in Australia. If charged and awarded a full sentence, he stares at 20 years in jail.