Indian American Couple in Virginia Sentenced for Forced Labor

Written on 06/26/2024
Indian American Couple in Virginia Sentenced for Forced Labor

Richmond, VA – A Virginia Indian American couple has been sentenced for forcing the man’s younger cousin to work at their gas station and convenience store for over three years. Harmanpreet Singh, 31, and Kulbir Kaur, 43, who have since divorced, received different prison sentences for their crimes. Singh was sentenced to 135 months, while Kaur was sentenced to 87 months in prison. Additionally, the court ordered the couple to pay the victim $225,210.76 in restitution.

 

 Harmanpreet Singh and Kulbir Kaur lured Singh’s younger cousin to the United States with promises of helping him enroll in school. Upon arrival, they confiscated his immigration documents and subjected him to threats, physical force, and mental abuse, coercing him to work long hours for minimal pay. This grim reality continued for over three years.

 

Key Points:

  • False Promises: The victim was enticed to travel from India to the U.S. with the promise of education.
  • Exploitation: Instead of schooling, the victim was forced to work 12 to 17 hours a day in their store.
  • Abuse: The couple used threats, physical abuse, and degrading living conditions to control the victim.
  • Surveillance: The victim was constantly monitored and had limited access to food and no access to medical care.

 

This case highlights the severe issue of human trafficking and exploitation within the U.S. justice system. The harsh sentences and substantial restitution ordered by the court reflect the seriousness of the crime and serve as a deterrent to others.

 

The exploitation case of Harmanpreet Singh and Kulbir Kaur underscores the critical need for vigilance and strict legal action against human trafficking. Community members are urged to report any suspicious activities to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.