Not Guilty plea for man in rape case
A 38-year-old man charged with the rape of a student pleaded not guilty to all the charges at the Suva High Court yesterday.
Avinesh Kumar is charged with 10 counts of rape of a 19-year-old.
The matter was called before Judge Justice Achala Wengappuli.
State lawyer Janita Prasad made an oral application that Kumar’s case be consolidated and transferred to the High Court in Labasa as he faces similar charges of rape upon the same student.
Defence lawyer Jiten Reddy objected to the oral application and told the court that it would be prejudice to his client as the witnesses for the Suva case resides in Suva and Kumar does not have the means to subpoena the witnesses to Labasa at his expense.
Justice Wengappuli has ordered that the state make a formal application.
The alleged incident occurred between February 12, 2016 and February 13, 2016, in Suva.
The case has been adjourned to March 28, for mention.
