Lawyer Challenges Client’s Murder Charge
High Court Judge Justice, Aruna Aluthge, has given the prosecution time to file its response to an early bail application submitted by Amrit Sen’s Lawyer, Abhay Singh, at the High Court in Labasa.
The court heard that the case which has been adjourned to June 28, when the response would be filed.
The 58-year-old accused is charged in relation to the death of Jone Rusiate, after his vehicle allegedly ran over Mr Rusiate on June 5 at Korotari in Labasa.
Mr Singh challenged the charges laid by the prosecution of murder, stating that it was an ‘accidental fall’ by the late, Mr Rusiate.
“My client is a victim in this case as the people that assaulted and injured him are still moving freely outside,” he told the court.
The bail application was filed after the Magistrates Court in Labasa ordered on Monday that the accused to be remanded in custody.
He is charged with 15 counts in total:
- One count of murder
- Two counts of attempted murder
- One count of conspiracy
- Seven counts of an act intended to cause grievous harm
- Two counts of criminal intimidation
- One count of assault causing actual bodily harm and
- One count of damaging property
Mr Singh requested the court to consider the medical condition of his client, who had fractured arms, fingers and an injured forehead.
He told the court that there was no public outcry and interference with the incident witnesses from the day of the incident, after which he was escorted to Suva for medical examination.
Three other accused in this case, Shumenda Chandra, Joji Bale and Maqtadeer Saif Kaiyum also appeared before Judge, Justice Aluthge, for their bail application.
Mr Chandra was charged with one count of conspiracy and a count of assault causing actual bodily harm while Mr Kaiyum and Mr Bale were charged with one count each for conspiracy.
State prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Michelle Lomaloma, asked the court for time to file their response to the bail applications.
Ms Lomaloma told the court that the case of the accused, Sen, was a serious offence.
