Court grants bail to accused in taxi permit scam case

A Nadi businessman accused of selling cancelled and expired taxi permits as valid licences has been granted bail by the Nadi Magistrate Court.

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) alleged that 53-year-old Abhinesh Singh dishonestly obtained more than $440,000 through the sale of invalid taxi permits.

Singh appeared before Magistrate Mareta Tikoisuva yesterday charged with one count each of obtaining a financial advantage and general dishonesty — obtaining a gain.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024, Singh sold cancelled and expired taxi permits in Nadi while claiming they were valid and transferable.

The court heard the alleged offences resulted in a financial gain of $440,078.

FICAC State prosecutor Rajiv Pathak informed the court that the first phase of disclosures had already been served on the accused.

The prosecution requested 21 days to complete full disclosures to the defence.

While the prosecution did not object to bail, it asked the court to impose strict bail conditions.

Magistrate Tikoisuva granted bail on the condition that Singh does not change his residential address without the court’s permission, does not commit any further offences and does not interfere with prosecution witnesses.

The court also ordered him to pay a cash bail bond of $500 and provide two sureties of $500 each.

A Stop Departure Order was also issued against Singh, preventing him from leaving the country without the court’s approval.

The case has been adjourned to June 21 for mention regarding the second phase of disclosures.