Indian student seeks discharge to avoid deportation after fraud conviction

An Indian student in Canada is seeking a discharge from a court after being convicted of theft and fraud, arguing that the conviction could lead to his deportation. Jins Joseph, a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, was convicted on July 24 of eight counts of fraud and one count of theft under $5,000. His study permit expires on September 30.

Joseph had been working part-time at a Dominion store where surveillance footage showed him changing price stickers on meat between March and May 2025, causing about $2,700 in losses. He claimed employees were allowed to take meat that would otherwise be thrown away with manager permission, and that he was helping hungry people. The Crown proposed a conditional sentence of five to six months less a day plus probation. The judge has reserved sentencing.