Justice Salesi Temo heard that the woman who allegedly burned her de facto husband, causing his death, had filed restraining orders against him before his death.

The matter was called before the High Court in Suva yesterday to decide on the bail application of the accused Merianne Premila Devi.

State Prosecutor, Darshani Kumar, informed the Court yesterday that the de facto partner of the accused, had breached the restraining order. He had served two years imprisonment beforehand.

Devi, 41, is charged with the murder of her 34-year-old partner.

Ms Kumar informed the Court that the victim, Bal Krishna Datt, had sustained 80 per cent burns to his body with second to third degree burns from his head to his lower limbs.

The defence lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission informed the Court that they were unsure whether to rely on the defence claiming the ‘battered woman’ syndrome as case laws would need to be relooked at.

The Court heard that Devi has three children.

Devi’s eldest child, a 17-year-old is currently living with his father while the other two children, ages 13 and six are staying at a safe home in Suva.

The prosecution objected to the bail application on the grounds that the 13-year-old child would be a witness to the trial.

The hearing of the bail application will be called on April 28.

Devi has been remanded in custody.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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