May 16, 2016 was like a “worst nightmare”

A tearful Rakash Roshen Deo described in court yesterday how he and his wife were stabbed.

Deo told the High Court in Suva yesterday that May 16, 2016, was like a ‘worst nightmare’.

Rakesh Narayan is charged for a count each of attempted murder and act with intent to cause grievous harm.

The matter was heard before Justice Riyaaz Hamza.

The state is being represented by Kimberley Semisi and Narayan is representing himself.

Narayan, 47, is alleged to have stabbed his ex-wife Shakindra Devi on the face outside Shop N Save supermarket in Nakasi on May 16.

Prosecution witness two: Rakash Roshen Deo

Ms Devi’s husband Mr Deo gave evidence in court yesterday and told the court how Narayan had punched him and stabbed him when he tried to help his wife.

Mr Deo said: “He told me to back off so I backed off a little and when I tried going near to my wife he stabbed me and when I got up I saw blood in my eyes and saw my wife trying to defend herself.”

Ms Semisi asked Mr Deo to tell the court at which point did he see Narayan stab Ms Devi.

Mr Deo told the court that after Narayan stabbed him, he took Ms Devi far away from him and stabbed her twice and after stabbing her he left in a taxi.

“My wife came running to me and I held on to her as I saw blood gushing out of her neck where she was stabbed so I applied pressure on her neck to try to stop the bleeding.

“She was scared and was asking for my help,” said Mr Deo.

Ms Semisi further asked Mr Deo what had happened at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Mr Deo said that Ms Devi was unconscious and was taken into the emergency ward with him on arrival. He said he was also bleeding.

“I got seven stiches on the left side of my forehead,” said Mr Deo.

He had also told the court that he didn’t know Narayan personally but had only seen his pictures before his marriage to Ms Devi.

During cross-examination, Narayan asked Mr Deo if he was aware Narayan was Ms Devi’s ex-husband.

Mr Deo replied saying that how would he know that.

Mr Deo demonstrated to the court how Narayan had punched his jaw and stabbed his forehead at the same time.

Narayan further asked Mr Deo why his medical certificate did not show any jaw injuries. Mr Deo said that the doctor was only focusing on the stab wound although his jaw was painful.

The case continues today.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

jessica.gounder@fijisun.com.fj