A 23-year-old man who allegedly caused the death of a 77-year-old woman in Lami last Saturday was presented in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

Shiuwal Shavnil Chand appeared before Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa and was remanded in custody pending a decision on his bail today.

Chand is charged with one count of dangerous driving occasioning death. He is alleged to have driven a motor vehicle on February 17, 2018 with registration number DP887 along Marine Drive in Lami at a dangerous speed and in a manner dangerous to another person involved in an impact. The impact allegedly caused the death of Alanieta Balawanivesi Qionibaravi.

Police prosecutor Corporal Sanil Kumar sought the leave of the court to serve Chand with full phase disclosures.

Corporal Sanil objected to Chand’s bail because the accused was charged with a serious offence in that someone’s life had been lost.

He said it was in the interest of the public that the prosecution was objecting to Chand’s bail adding that he might interfere with prosecution witnesses.

Corporal Sanil said Chand was a hotel worker who might possess a passport and might disappear in the matter.

The court heard that Chand was a first offender.

In relation to Section 19 (1) of the Bail Act 2002, defence lawyer Dharmendra Kumar submitted that his client was a first offender meaning that he did not have a history of violating bail conditions.

Mr Kumar said the seriousness of the offence was not a predominant ground for objection to bail adding that there were no submissions advanced by the prosecution that the presumption of bail was displaced.

He said his client was only alleged to have committed the offence, which was yet to be proven. He said Chand was innocent until proven guilty.

Further Mr Kumar proposed that his client be released on bail with two sureties; his father and his immediate supervisor who would ensure that he attends all his court dates.

Magistrate Boseiwaqa will deliver his bail ruling today.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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