A Labasa secondary school teacher who appeared yesterday at the Suva Magistrates Court charged with two counts each of rape applied for bail.

Defence lawyer Jiten Reddy applied for bail on the grounds that his client was still presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne will give his bail ruling on Monday.

Avinesh Kumar, 37, on February 12 and 13 is alleged to have had carnal knowledge with his ex-scholar at Outrigger Hotel in Suva with consent that was obtained by threat and intimidation.

Mr Reddy told the court that the seriousness of a case is not the predominant factor on deciding for bail and that the victim and accused were in a love relationship.

Police Prosecutor Josua Shaw objected to bail on the grounds that the case was of public interest and that it was an indictable offence as the victim is 18-years-old and that the relationship had started when she was still Kumar’s student.

Mr Reddy informed the court that Kumar was no longer a secondary school teacher as he had resigned as soon as certain allegations were laid against him earlier this year.

The case has been adjourned to Monday, October 17 for a ruling on the bail application.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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