King Khan awaits ruling on plea bid

Imraan Khan, widely known as “King Khan”, will have to wait until July 9 to learn whether the High Court in Suva will allow him to withdraw his guilty plea and reopen his case for trial.

The application was heard before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe in the High Court in Suva yesterday after Khan sought to change his plea from guilty to not guilty on a charge of breaching a restraining order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Earlier this month, Khan admitted disposing of a luxury vehicle bearing the registration plate “KNGKHN”, despite it being subject to asset freeze orders.

His lawyer, Shayal Kant, argued that Khan did not fully understand the nature of the charge or the consequences of pleading guilty when he entered the plea.

However, State prosecutor Moira Konrote opposed the application, telling the court that Khan entered the plea voluntarily and was aware of its implications.

She also submitted that he suffered no disadvantage because he had been legally represented throughout the proceedings by his former lawyer, Jerry Dinati.

Justice Rajasinghe reserved his ruling until July 9.

The court was also told that if the application is unsuccessful, Khan will return on July 14 for sentencing on the conviction.