News
Harrowing ordeal, Indian man accuses TCI Immigration of inhumane treatment and theft at Detention Center
Turks and Caicos, Providenciales, June 13th 2017:
One man is taking legal action on the TCI Immigration Department, all the way from India, for improper treatment.
Mehul Chandrakant Solanki is back home in India now, after spending two unnecessary months enduring what he describes as an horrific ordeal and unfair treatment meted out at the South Dock Road Detention Centre in the Turks and Caicos.
Describing it as a clear abuse of power by the Immigration Officers, Mr. Solanki is vowing to ensure those still being held at the detention centre are not treated in the same way as he has taken up this case and says he has all the proof and documents to support his claims, including his contact with the High Commission of India to Jamaica, located in Kingston.
Mr. Solanki says he is well known in Provo and has worked there for almost three years. His story begins when he says he went to report his lost passport to the Police in Providenciales in early March, only to instead be handed over the Immigration Department and charged with overstaying. Solanki says the Immigration officers took his mobile phone, a Samsung Note; his wallet containing $2,140 and his bag containing his clothes. The items were said to be put in a sealed bag with a number on it.
Mr. Solanki requested that he contact someone to notify them of what had happened, but was denied any chance of doing so. He then asked whether they had contacted the High Commission’s office on his behalf, and was told that this was already done by the Immigration Office.
Some ten to 15 days passed without word from the Indian High Commission, and Mr. Solanki again asked for the chance to make a phone call. By March 27th, he got the opportunity to make a phone call, contacting the Commission, where it was said to him that no request was ever made, nor were they notified of his case. The Commission then assured him that a new emergency passport would be sent to him in seven days, arriving by early April.
Still, there was no word to Solanki on whether the new, temporary passport was received and questions about the document were ignored by TCI authorities.
Another call was granted to Mr. Solanki, who had by this time been in the center for nearly a month. His cell phone was required to make that phone call, but when a female officer, searched his belonging, there was no cell phone, and all of the money from his wallet was gone.
Mehul Chandrakant Solanki back home in India and still very distraught and angry after his harrowing ordeal in the TCI at the hands of Immigration Officers at the Detention Centre
During this time at the South Dock Road Detention Center, Mr. Solanki says the fisherman on remand for alleged poaching were being held.
Authorities have confirmed that the men were exposed to scabies at the holding centre and had to receive treatment and bedding was burned. The fishermen also needed clothing and it was at that time that Solanki noticed that the clothing being given to the Dominicans on remand, were in fact his.
Solanki says at no time did he give permission for his clothing to be given away.
To add insult to injury, Solanki discovered that his temporary passport had long been sent and received by the Immigration Department but that he was held despite and not notified about its arrival, which he explained to Magnetic Media, was April 19. Outrageously, Solanki was told that he would have to make the journey back home without his money, without his belongings and he was still being made to pay for his return trip to India.
Mehul Chandrakant Solanki was held for two months at the detention center for overstaying. Solanki left the Turks and Caicos on May 15, 2017 in a route which was considerably more expensive and tedious, taking him through the Dominican Republic, Curacao, Amsterdam, Mumbai and then home at a cost of $2,400 when another, shorter route through Jamaica would have been $900.
In his disturbing account, Mehul Solanki recalls the ‘mistreatment of a Polish woman and two other Chinese people’ captive at the detention centre and believes their voices also need to be heard, as their personal items were also stolen.
Mr. Solanki explained that his case is not only to get justice, but to make a statement to the TCI Immigration Department that they cannot misuse nor abuse their powers over immigrants even if they have overstayed their time.
Magnetic Media contacted the TCI Human Rights Commission, HRC, which shared that when they met Mr. Solanki at the Detention Centre in a visit on March 28th, he was happy and that he did not report being ill-treated or in need of anything. However, Solanki explained that the visit of the HRC came a day after he had gotten assurances of a replacement passport from the High Commission and at that time, he felt that everything was fine. The HRC said a contact number was left with Mr. Solanki in the event that things changed at the centre.
Weeks later, he was still at the South Dock Road detention centre and told our news room that he would have communicated the problems including that his cell phone/tablet had since been stolen. However, the HRC was not allowed on premises due to the scabies health risk and with his cell phone/tablet stolen he no longer had their phone number.
No complaint about the events at the detention centre was lodged at Human Rights office either explained to the organization, as Solanki said that he was given very little time to leave the TCI and that a formal complaint will come through his attorney.
News reports on cases of ‘overstaying in the Turks and Caicos’ are commonly carried in the media and a review of recent reports revealed a clear inconsistency in how foreigners are treated when they are in breach of that law.
Mehul Solanki explained that he was never charged in a court of law, was threatened with being jailed, that he was scoffed and laughed at when he asked for an opportunity to file a complaint and at one point had to scream at the top of his lungs just to get medical treatment when ‘bad food’ made him sick.
Mr.Solanki’s attorney will be present in the TCI in the coming days to attend to this matter.
Magnetic Media has reached out to the Minister of Border Control and Deputy Premier about the case.
#MehulChandrakantSolanki
#TCIImmigrationDepartment
#TCIImmigrationDepartmentUnfairTreatmentToDetainees
#UNInternationalMigrantLaw
#TCIBorderControl
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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