‘Nightmare’ ends for Shere Khan owners as they mull legal action

THE founders of the Shere Khan Group are considering taking legal action against Merseyside Police after an investigation into people trafficking was dropped.

Nighat and Rafique Awan estimate that they have lost more than £2.2m as a direct result of the investigation which has been ongoing since their south Manchester mansion and businesses were raided in February 2007.

Merseyside Police has confirmed that its investigation into the couple’s business affairs has concluded and no further action will be taken against the couple by the Crown Prosecution Service.

At the time of the raids, the Shere Khan Group operated nine restaurants in the North West as well as in Kent which employed more than 100 staff.

All but two of these restaurants were either sold or franchised following the police’s investigations with the loss of many jobs.

The Awan still own their original flagship Shere Khan restaurant in Rusholme, in Greater Manchester, as well as the fast-food outlet in the Trafford Centre.

Mrs Awan, a multi-award-winning businesswoman told TheBusinessDesk.com that the past three years had felt like being hit by a “tsunami.”

She said: “It has been like living in a pressure cooker over the past few years – from the family’s perspective what happened felt like being hit by a tsunami.

“It has been a distressing and upsetting time for all concerned.

“Despite the business almost collapsing due to premature restaurant closures and our reputation being damaged, we just want to move forward and get on with our lives.

“I personally want to use my experiences to try and make the world a better place.”

Mr Awan added: “For three years my family and I have been living a nightmare.

“My wife’s health has suffered terribly and it has been a great struggle for all of us to come through this.

“We have lost a great deal of money and respect because of the police but worse than that many of my former staff have been reduced to poverty and the charity of their family and friends.

“Others have been wrongly driven out of the UK when they were forced to realise that there was no justice for them in this country.” 

Shere Khan’s solicitor Michael Kenyon of Manchester-based law firm Hill Dickinson LLP said that the couple are now considering their options.

He said:  “This investigation has been a scandal from start to finish and there are many questions for Merseyside police to answer.

“They must be held accountable for their actions.

“Dr and Mr Awan are now considering their options – one of which is to take civil proceedings against Merseyside Police.

“The couple are also considering the potential to begin build the business back up again.”

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that no charges would be brought as a result of there being ‘insufficient evidence’.

A statement released by Merseyside Police confirmed that on February 2, 2007 – as a result of information received from a member of the Asian community – a number of search warrants were executed at premises nationwide to examine allegations of ‘facilitation and employment of illegal workers’.

The statement adds: “The premises were all connected to a restaurant group and further search warrants were executed at homes and offices belonging to people associated with the group.

“As a result, a total of 48 employees, all of whom were found to be foreign nationals suspected of working illegally, have been removed from the United Kingdom or have been served with notices as part of an ongoing immigration process.”

Merseyside Police carried out its investigation in partnership with the United Kingdom Border Agency, United Kingdom Work Permits and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ward said: “This has been a difficult and complex investigation, particularly in regard to issues surrounding formal identification of the illegal workers.

“There is a duty for the force to investigate allegations of this nature when they are made.

“Merseyside Police works closely with all of its communities to ensure that they have confidence in our officers and staff.

“The Force’s diversity team is setting up an inter faith group, which aims to build upon the relationships already in existence in the Asian community and to further establish strong community links.

“Merseyside Police also regularly consults members of the Merseyside Independent Advisory Group (MIAG), whose members come from diverse communities and faiths.

“The members act as ‘critical friends’ and give constructive criticism are influential in helping Merseyside Police set its direction for the future.”