Court orders alleged grandpa killer to undergo psychiatric assessment today

A letter from Saint Giles Psychiatric Hospital has revealed that the man alleged to have killed his grandfather in Wainibuka last year has not yet been assessed at the hospital.

Charles Laxton Sundar, charged with murder, appeared before Justice Usaia Ratuvili at the High Court in Suva yesterday. No plea was taken.

The case had been adjourned last month to allow medical authorities time to complete a psychiatric report, which will determine whether Sundar is fit to stand trial. However, he has still not been assessed.

It is alleged that on July 12, 2025, at Navokadamu Settlement in Lutu, Wainibuka, Sundar struck his grandfather with a cane knife, causing serious injuries that later led to his death.

He is also accused of dismembering the body and placing it in a sack.

State Prosecutor Pream Ram told the court that the prosecution recently received a letter from the hospital and had sought orders to have Sundar produced there as soon as possible for evaluation.

The court granted the request, ordering the Remand Centre to take him to the hospital today.