Man Charged With Murder Of Turaga Ni Koro Remains In Custody
Veresa Vatia, who is charged with the murder of Amoritikei Mainalulu, the village headman of Baleyaganiga, will remain in custody until at least May 12.
Tuesday 21 April 2020 | 15:03
Veresa Vatia is escorted by Police outside the Magistrate Court in Labasa on April 20, 2020. Photo: Laisa Lui
Veresa Vatia, who is charged with the murder of Amoritikei Mainalulu, the village headman of Baleyaganiga, will remain in custody until at least May 12.
This is because the next High Court in Labasa is on the said date.
The father of four was charged with one count of murder and one count of failure to comply with lawful order. He appeared yesterday before Magistrate Bimsara Jagodage at Magistrates Court in Labasa.
Related stories
His lawyer, Amrit Sen, applied for bail. However, Police Prosecutor Inspector Subramani Naidu objected to the bail application.
The court heard that the seriousness of the offence had cost a life.
"The deceased was the headman of a village.
The bail will cause mixed reactions and tension in the village," Inspector Naidu said.
"This is a case of national interest." Magistrate Jagodage transferred the case to the High Court and denied bail.
Particulars
Mainalulu was allegedly assaulted last Thursday while dispersing Vatia and three others (in
a separate court sitting) for breaking curfew and social gathering in Baleyaganiga, Vaturova in Cakaudrove.
Meanwhile, the three men appeared before Magistrate Seinileba Levaci with failure to comply with public order.
They were bailed with the sum of $800 and to report to the Labasa Police Station every fortnight.
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
Feedback: laisa.kabulevu@fijisun.com.fj
