A businessman appeared at the Navua Magistrates Court yesterday charged with rape and indecent assault.

Govind Sami faces two counts each of rape and one count of indecent assault.

Magistrate Seinileba Levaci granted Sami bail in the sum of $1000 with strict bail conditions.

It is alleged that between July 2014 and October 25, 2016, Sami raped the woman who was his employee then.

It is also alleged that he indecently assaulted the woman on October 29, 2016.

The alleged incident occurred at Navua.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Kiran Reddy objected to bail on the grounds that it was a serious offence which was indictable in nature.

Ms Reddy also told the court that there was a chance that Sami might interfere with the prosecution witnesses.

Defence lawyer Avinesh Reddy confirmed receiving disclosures and applied for bail for Sami on the grounds that he had health issues and that he was the director of his company and had to sign cheques for payments on a daily basis which would be on hold if he were remanded.

Sami is to report to the Navua Police Station every Tuesday and he is to stay at least 100 metres away from the complainant.

The case has been transferred to the Suva High Court on November 28.