Table of contents:
- Manikandan Kasinathan, Chandramohan Marjak and Mary Roche sentencing
- Temporary foreign workers from India and LMIA payments
- Work hours, pay handling and cash collections
- Housing conditions, abuse findings and rejected defence
Manikandan Kasinathan, Chandramohan Marjak and Mary Roche sentencing
Manikandan Kasinathan, Chandramohan Marjak and Mary Roche were each sentenced to 90 days in jail, to be served on weekends. All three were convicted of fraud over $5,000. They co-owned Marina Dosa and Tandoori Grill in Calgary.
The court also imposed 18 months of probation and ordered restitution of $44,000 to three employees. The decision concluded a piecemeal trial that began in the summer of 2024 and ended in May 2025, with reasons delivered by Justice Sandra Mah.
Temporary foreign workers from India and LMIA payments
The victims, all from India, arrived in Calgary between 2017 and 2020 on employer-specific permits to work as cooks. Once employed, they were told they had to pay $24,000 each for a Labour Market Impact Assessment, described to them as “for government fees relating to their immigration to Canada.”
In fact, under the temporary foreign workers program, employers must pay a $1,000 processing fee for an employee’s assessment documentation. Prosecutor Brandy O’Ferrall presented evidence that the men were told they would be sent back to India if they did not pay.
Key figures established by the court included
- $24,000 demanded from each worker
- $1,000 actual LMIA processing fee required of employers
- $44,000 total restitution ordered
Work hours, pay handling and cash collections
One victim, Parthiban Ramalingam, paid the full $24,000. The other two paid $12,000 and $8,000. On paydays, Kasinathan drove Ramalingam to his bank to deposit his paycheque.
Ramalingam told the court he handed over $2,000 in cash for the Labour Market Impact Assessment and $400 for rent. Kasinathan then drove him back to the restaurant to work.
The court heard Ramalingam worked six days a week for 12 to 14 hours per day for about one year to pay off the $24,000.
Housing conditions, abuse findings and rejected defence
The employees lived in the homes of the three offenders and paid rent. The judge described the accommodations provided by Kasinathan and Marjak as “substandard”, including one bedroom shared by three workers.
Mah found the victims were “verbally and physically abused by the accused.” Venkatesan Durairaj testified that he had worked in many countries, but this was “the first place he felt like a slave and he felt abused.” The workers eventually reported the conduct to authorities.
None of the accused testified. Their lawyers argued that no money was requested or received for LMIA purposes and that any funds were reimbursements for rent, food, airline tickets, travel, or loans. The judge rejected the defence advanced by lawyers Faizan Butt and Sofian Butt.
Source: CBC
FAQ
Who were the restaurant owners sentenced in Calgary?
The restaurant owners were Manikandan Kasinathan, Chandramohan Marjak and Mary Roche, who co-owned Marina Dosa and Tandoori Grill in Calgary.
What sentences did the court impose on the offenders?
Each offender was sentenced to 90 days in jail to be served on weekends, placed on 18 months of probation, and ordered to repay $44,000 to three employees.
Who were the victims in the case?
The victims were three temporary foreign workers from India who arrived in Calgary between 2017 and 2020 to work as cooks on employer-specific permits.
What payments were demanded from the workers?
The workers were told they had to pay $24,000 each for a Labour Market Impact Assessment, despite the actual employer-required processing fee being $1,000.
What working and living conditions were described in court?
The court heard that one victim worked six days a week for 12 to 14 hours per day for about one year, lived in substandard housing, and experienced verbal and physical abuse.