Drug accused Thakor Punja seeks travel clearance for overseas medical check

Drug accused Thakor Punja has filed a bail variation application seeking court approval to travel to Australia for a medical check-up.

Punja appeared before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad today with his lawyer Samuela Heritage of Iqbal Khan & Associates. He faces three counts of possession of illicit drugs.

It is alleged that on May 11, 2024, at Lami in the Central Division, Punja unlawfully possessed 0.841 grams of methamphetamine, 5.447 grams of cocaine and 16.6 grams of cannabis sativa.

The court heard that the requested overseas travel relates to an Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) procedure following serious back injuries Punja sustained in a road accident last April while travelling back to the Western Division with his father after a court appearance.

ADR surgery involves removing damaged spinal discs and replacing them with metal or plastic implants to treat chronic pain while preserving spinal movement.

During proceedings, State Prosecution called Medical Superintendent at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Dr Luke Nasedra, to give evidence.

Dr Nasedra told the court he was approached last week by Corporal Watisoni Sevutia, who presented Punja’s medical report and MRI scan indicating a need for overseas medical treatment.

He said a report from Zen’s Medical Centre outlined Punja’s physical condition and noted that no local medical procedure was available to cater for his condition.

However, Dr Nasedra said the back injury was not life-threatening, explaining that life-threatening conditions would require urgent treatment within 48 hours.

As a registered anaesthetic specialist, Dr Nasedra said his experience allowed him to understand the process and scheduling of such surgeries, adding that ADR procedures had not previously been performed locally.

He said there were, however, other medical treatments available in Fiji that could help manage the condition, including consultation with orthopaedic specialists.

Dr Nasedra also told the court that the report indicated the proposed surgery was the wish of the accused and not a direct recommendation from the doctor.

During cross-examination, he agreed that he had not sought an opinion from a neurosurgeon to determine whether the condition was life-threatening.

He said, as with other cases, Punja’s condition could worsen if left untreated.

The matter will continue on a date to be set.