A Rotherhithe “hero” who was honoured by the Queen for his community service faces his deportation hearing on Friday, January 13.
Vimal Pandya, 42, who used to work at Halai General Stores off Rotherhithe Street, is appealing a government decision to send him back to India after more than eleven years in London.
He is backed by a mega-petition of 148,065 signatures, the Rotherhithe community, MP Neil Coyle, and Southwark Council.
Vimal said: “If I am sent back to India, it would be a disaster. The amount of support I have received has been incredible. It shows how much I’ve been cared for by the community. It’s impossible to know how I would live without these people.”
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For Vimal, who arrived in the UK in 2011 as a student, the ordeal began in 2015, when he returned to the UK after briefly leaving to take an ill family friend back to India.
On returning to British soil, UK border staff said his college had lost its right to sponsor students and he’d have to find a new sponsor.
But they stripped him of his passport and biometric residence card, making it impossible for him to secure a new student visa.
In the intervening period, he has technically lived in the UK without permission, but has become a “pillar of the local community”.
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During the pandemic, Vimal realised he had to help people, supporting 55 families with free deliveries and emotional support over the phone.
Word spread of his efforts and, on February 12 last year, he got a letter from Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Queen’s personal representative in Greater London.
The letter read: “It has come to my attention that you are one of those people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help others during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am therefore writing to personally thank you for all of your efforts and to encourage you to continue making a positive difference to Londoners.”
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Lawyers at prestigious firm Mishcon de Reya LLP were so inspired by Vimal’s story that they’re representing him without charge.
But there were additional legal fees that had to be covered so Southwark residents raised £16,000.
MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark Neil Coyle will set aside constituency duties on January 13 to speak at the tribunal. He said: “Vimal has recognition from her late majesty, Queen Elizabeth, for his amazing and valiant efforts during Covid.
“He voluntarily delivered prescriptions and shopping across Rotherhithe where he is both loved and respected.
“The community knows his positive contribution and has welcomed him to their hearts… I look forward to fighting his corner.”
The Home Office could make its decision on the day of the tribunal or adjourn its judgement which would mean a three to four-week wait.
Vimal would have the option of appealing that decision but says he won’t: “I don’t have the energy because it would cost £20,000 again… it’s not fair to put that burden on the community who have supported me so much.