Pastor On Rape, Assault Charges Denied Bail
The Magistrates Court in Nausori has denied bail for a 36-year-old pastor of a church in Nausori.
Pastor Ravinesh Chand is charged with three counts of rape and one count each of sexual assault and indecent assault. He appeared before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne.
It is alleged that on March 21, 2019, in Luvuluvu, Nausori, Chand had unlawfully and indecently assaulted the complainant by kissing her.
On the same day, Chand is alleged to have sexually assaulted the victim and raped her on three occasions. The accused is alleged to have committed the offences on a 15-year-old girl who is a member of the congregation.
Magistrate Somaratne denied bail for the accused on the grounds of public interest in the matter.
The matter has been transferred to the High Court in Suva for first call on April 10. Chand has been remanded in custody.
Edited by Percy Kean
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