High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe has raised concerns on Magistrates not issuing an interim domestic violence restraining order.

He raised his concern in a rape case of a 48-year-old man who is charged for allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter in Navua.

Justice Rajasinghe said the Magistrate did not issue any interim DVRO and questioned on why the same was not issued and why the prosecution were not informing the Magistrates of the same.

He said that was very bad and also issued an interim DVRO in the matter.

Justice Rajasinghe said to the accused that if he violated the interim DVRO, he could be charged and presented again in court for not complying with the order.

The 48-year-old man is facing two counts of rape.

The alleged incidents occurred between June 2018 and August 2019 at Navua.

State prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Juleen Fatiaki, requested for time to file the Information and Disclosures as the matter was for first call in the High Court.

Defence lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission Litiana Ratidara sought for 14 days thereafter to advise the accused for plea.

Justice Rajasinghe granted time to the prosecution and also ordered the prosecution to serve a copy of the interim DVRO to the complainant.

The accused was remanded and the case will continue on December 10.

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