A senior member of the Fijian Judiciary appeared at the Magistrates Court in Suva yesterday. The former member appeared before Magistrate Sherlyn Kiran represented by lawyer Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima.

He is charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. It is alleged the accused assaulted his wife on August 12, 2022, at Raiwaqa, causing her actual bodily harm. They were married, but were not staying together.

The accused pleaded not guilty. There is no admission in the caution interview. The prosecution had four witnesses. The defence lawyer said there would not be any voir dire and had a strong case in the matter.

Bail:

The prosecution sought strict bail conditions and travel documents to be surrendered. Mr Sharma submitted the accused’s passport and said he was not a flight risk.

Magistrate Kiran granted bail to the accused on a personal assurance sum of $300, non-cash.

An interim domestic violence restraining order has been issued against the accused for the protection of the complainant. The accused’s lawyer also filed and served the name suppression application and submissions.

Mr Sharma told the court that the Magistrates Court had the power to order a name suppression. The lawyer also said that Section 57 of the Domestic Violence Act 2009 also restricted the publications of the names.

Mr Sharma said the accused was a distinguished member of the bench with a distinguished career and was innocent until proven guilty.

The Magistrate issued an interim order of name suppression and a ruling on the application would be delivered on November 3.

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