The much awaited trial over the murder of five family members from Legalega, Nadi, will commence at the High Court in Lautoka from tomorrow.

The three-week-long trial is presided over by Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.

The Charges:

The man on trial is Muhammed Raheesh Isoof.

Isoof denies five counts of murder. It is alleged that Isoof between August 25 and August 26, 2019, murdered Nirmal Kumar, 63, his wife Usha Devi, 54, their daughter Nileshni Kajal, 34, and Ms Kajal’s daughters Sanah Singh, 11, Samarah Singh, 8.

He is also charged with one count of attempted murder of Samaira Kumar who was found abandoned near the bodies of five deceased persons at Nausori Highlands.

Deceased parents: Nirmal Kumar and his wife Usha Devi.

Their deceased daughter Nileshni Kajal and her two daughters Sana and Samara.

Representations:

The State prosecutors are Semi Babitu, Taitusi Tuenuku, and Prenika Lata from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The defence counsels are Iqbal Khan, Degei Sadrata, and Tevita Kalou from Iqbal Khan and Associates.

In Court yesterday:

The State filed and served more disclosures in the case for which Mr Khan sought more time to discuss with his clients to obtain instructions.

Mr Khan informed the court that he was not able to obtain any instructions from Isoof due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the Remand Centre.

“This matter has been pending for two years,” Justice Rajasinghe reminded the prosecution.

Mr Babitu told the court that the State would be presenting 65 witnesses in the trial.

Mr Khan told the court that he wanted the statement of the officers in regards to the DNA evidence and the Namaka Police Station diary.

The Police Station diary was presented in court and the State was instructed to photocopy physical evidence relating to the case and present it to Mr Khan.

The court has granted a two-day consultation period for the defence lawyer and the accused to meet at the High Court and discuss the new affidavit submissions.

The trial will begin tomorrow while the matter will be called for mention today.

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