Ruci Kalokalo and Laisiasa Rokobeci pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges in the High Court at Lautoka yesterday.

They appeared before Justice Sunil Sharma.

The couple represented themselves and the prosecution was represented by Joeli Nasa.

It is alleged that the couple buried their seven-year-old daughter unlawfully in Toko, Tavua between December 1, 2020, and February 23, 2021.

The couple pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter arising from breach of duty contrary to Section 240 and 241 (2) of the Crimes Act and one count of Restriction of Burial of Dead Bodies contrary to Sections 12 (1) (a) and (2) of the Burial and Cremation Act 1911.

For the first count, the two allegedly made an omission that amounted to a negligent breach of duty, by not taking their 7-year old child to the hospital for medical attention which allegedly resulted in her death.

For the second count, the two allegedly buried the body of their daughter without a death certificate on February 23 at Toko, Tavua.

The court heard that Legal Aid counsel Alanieta Bilivalu was appointed to provide legal advice to the couple however they insisted on representing themselves in court legally.

Justice Sharma adjourned the matter to January 13, 2022 for mention.

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