Dursley – March 2025
A legal claim has been filed against Himal Food Ltd, the company operating The Everest Nepalese & Indian Restaurant at 18–20 Long Street, Dursley, GL11 4HX, following what has been described as a wrongful and unethical dismissal of a UK-based employee.
Khadak Singh Khatrichetri, a former employee and 10% shareholder in the company, alleges he was dismissed immediately upon returning from annual leave, only to be informed that his position had been filled by three international students who were collectively being paid the same monthly salary as he had earned alone.
A claim has been filed in the UK Small Claims Court for £8,400, covering unpaid share value, holiday pay, and dismissal-related wages. Mr. Khatrichetri is also pursuing further legal routes, claiming that the dismissal was both unfair and potentially unlawful under UK employment law.
“I gave three years to this company, invested in its success, and they removed me without notice or process to bring in cheaper labour,” Mr. Khatrichetri said.
Legal Implications for Employers
Under UK employment law, it is illegal to dismiss an employee without proper notice, process, or cause, especially if that dismissal is motivated by cost-cutting through hiring lower-paid international students.
While international students on Student Visas can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week during term time), they:
- Cannot replace full-time UK workers in permanent roles;
- Cannot be used to circumvent fair employment practices;
- And must not be employed in breach of visa restrictions, or it can lead to Home Office penalties for the employer.
If proven, such practices could leave Himal Food Ltd exposed to tribunal action, fines, and even licence revocation if immigration rules were breached.
To date, Mr. Pirthaviraj Rawal, director of Himal Food Ltd and manager of The Everest Nepalese & Indian Restaurant, has not issued a public response. The case has begun drawing local attention, and industry observers are monitoring the situation closely.
