COVID-19: Man Sleeping In Car During Curfew Hours Fronts Court

A man who was found sleeping inside his car at the Vatuwaqa cemetery during curfew hours was remanded by the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

The accused Navin Naicker appeared before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne charged with one count of disobedience of a lawful order.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Ravi Kumar objected to bail on the grounds that the case is serious in nature and is of public interest.

He said the accused was found at the cemetery at 3:30am during curfew hours. His lawyer Namrata Mishra from the Legal Aid Commission said the accused has elderly parents whom he cares for and a younger sister. The Court heard that the accused lives in Vatuwaqa and was at a friend’s house when he decided to go and pick up his car from the cemetery.

Magistrate Somaratne said the accused ought to have known that there is a curfew in place and should have slept at his friend’s house. He added that granting the accused bail would give the misconception that people can easily breach curfew orders, get charged and be granted bail in Court on the same day.

Sergeant Kumar sought more time to provide written submissions in objection to bail.

The accused is remanded in custody and his case has been adjourned to April 6, for bail ruling.

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