$3k bail for cane truck driver in fatal crash case

A cane truck driver charged in connection with the death of a police officer appeared in the Labasa Magistrate Court today and was granted bail.

Iftikar Khan is charged with one count of dangerous driving occasioning death. He appeared before Magistrate Amelia Vavadakua.

It is alleged that on December 6, 2025, Khan drove along Nasekula Road, in front of Courts and opposite the Crowns Taxi base, in a manner dangerous in the circumstances and caused the death of Police Constable Dharmesh Krishna.

Police prosecutor Constable Krishan Murty objected to bail, saying the matter was of public interest.

He told the court police had CCTV footage and 19 eyewitnesses, including police officers, Land Transport Authority officers and bystanders.

Defence counsel Jitendra Reddy, of Jiten Reddy Lawyers, appearing with Khalid Hassan, opposed the objection. He said the defence had 20 eyewitnesses who would testify that Khan was not driving dangerously.

Reddy said Khan had no previous convictions or pending cases, was a 45-year-old cane truck driver and farmer from Seaqaqa, and had cooperated fully with police.

He said Khan was willing to surrender his passport, comply with any stop-departure order and had two sureties present in court, his father and brother-in-law.

Magistrate Vavadakua released Khan on a $3,000 cash bail bond. She ordered him to report to Seaqaqa Police Station every Saturday, not to interfere with State prosecution witnesses and to attend all court dates.

The case was adjourned to March 24 for mention to allow police to file full disclosure.

Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj