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A trial for owners of a former party store in Three Rivers has been delayed due to concerns about the state’s budget situation.
According to the Three Rivers Commercial-News, proceedings related to the alleged labor-trafficking charges against Ikbahl Machhal and Shil Devi have been moved to at least next month.
The two were originally scheduled to stand trial Sept. 30. With state lawmakers still unable to pass a budget for Michigan’s 2025-26 fiscal year, both prosecution and defense teams agreed to the delay.
Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman recognized the potential issue and concurred postponement would be a prudent course of action.
Machhal and Devi were charged in May 2024 with one count of human trafficking and a count of human trafficking enterprise. The victim allegedly was not paid despite working on average about 60 hours a week over an eight-year period.
