Judge cites abuse of workplace trust in jailing former Vodafone manager

A former Vodafone Fiji manager has been jailed for nine years after the High Court ruled he abused a position of trust by raping a junior employee under his supervision.

The High Court in Suva found Rahul Ritesh Kumar guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a junior employee he supervised.

Justice Daniel Goundar sentenced Kumar to nine years' imprisonment for rape and three years' imprisonment for sexual assault, with both sentences to run concurrently.

Kumar will be eligible to apply for parole after serving seven years.

The offences occurred in the early hours of June 28, 2025, at the complainant's flat in Samabula, Suva.

The court heard Kumar, who was 30 at the time and Vodafone Fiji's manager for Digital and Cyber Security, had been in an intimate relationship with the 23-year-old complainant, an assistant engineer who worked under his supervision.

Justice Goundar accepted evidence that the complainant had wanted to end the relationship months earlier but Kumar continued to exercise emotional and workplace control over her.

During the trial, Kumar admitted carrying out the sexual acts but maintained they were consensual. Justice Goundar rejected the defence, finding the complainant's evidence credible and ruling that she did not consent.

In sentencing, Justice Goundar said the penalty reflected the seriousness of the offending, the abuse of trust in the workplace relationship and the need to deter sexual violence.

He also took into account Kumar's previous good character, family responsibilities and prospects for rehabilitation.

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