Suva High Court Judge Salesi Temo yesterday put the court on hold to verify the legitimacy of the prosecution’s attempt to block disclosures to a widow who needs the information to claim insurance.

Justice Temo told prosecutor Taitusi Tuenuku of the Director of Public Prosecution Office to re-look at his submission and to consider precedents in foreign courts like England.

Justice Temo said he felt for the family who were seeking for the insurance claim to continue their lives after the loss of the sole bread winner of the family.

The driver Subramani Goundar is charged with one count of dangerous driving occasioning death of the late 35-year-old Sairusi Vunakece of Noco, Rewa.

Goundar allegedly fled from the scene of the incident in April last year at Vuci South Road in Nausori.

Goundar was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and was allegedly over speeding when the accident happened.

Mr Tuenuku sought 14 days to file amended information in the submissions. Justice Temo was responding to the application by the widow of the late Mr Vunakece.

The widow’s lawyer, Romanu Vananalagi, filed the application who requested the release of the Police disclosure. The disclosure will assist Mr Vananalagi in a civil case whereby the family of the deceased had sued the driver and the owner of the vehicle which allegedly caused the death of Mr Vunakece.

Mr Tuenuku said the basis of their submission in refusing the release of information was because of the presumption of innocence.

Justice Temo said it was the right of the widow to access information.

Mr Vananalagi said his client was in dire need of the information. The case will be recalled on August 14.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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