Spouse Refusal - previous overstayer

A friend is in pieces having heard that her Indian spouse has just been refused a UK visa.

As soon as she receives the refusal notice I/she will post it for disection, but in the mean time I wondered if anybody has recent knowledge or experience of spousal applications from India?

I understand that the gentleman has previously been in the UK illegally (don't know the details, will clarify later; possibly overstaying a student visa). The relationship has existed for 2 years before the wedding which took place in India in the summer, and the wife is in gainful employment so the only "red flag" appears to be immigration history - but we are under the impression that this cannot be grounds for refusal alone.


Any comments / suggestions / details on the length of an appeal would be very greatly appreciated.


Thanks
Simon

uh yes, it is grounds for refusal and it was heard they wouldn't start getting serious with it until april, guess the ho is off to a head start.