Bail hearing adjourned for Fiji football rep Nand

Fiji national football rep Merril Nand will remain in custody after his bail application was adjourned, with the State seeking more time to formally respond to his bid for release.

Nand appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad today, where police prosecutors informed the court they had only recently received the bail application and requested additional time to file their response, citing the seriousness of the allegations.

As part of its ruling, the court directed the investigating officer to file an affidavit outlining the grounds for the State's opposition before the matter returns to court.

Meanwhile, defence lawyer Jitendra Reddy challenged claims that prosecutors had only received the bail application yesterday morning. He told the court the application was filed on June 17, issued on June 19 and served on the State on the same day.

Mr Reddy also informed the court that the defence had received information suggesting the complainant may have left Fiji. He argued that this reduced any potential risk of witness interference and supported an immediate decision on bail.

The court has directed police to verify that claim.

Nand is charged with three counts of rape, two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of sexual assault. The charges stem from allegations involving his former partner last year.

The State continues to oppose bail.

The matter has been adjourned to June 29 for a formal bail hearing.