State witness claims he tried to help victim in Labasa road incident

A state prosecution witness in the murder trial of Labasa lawyer Amrit Sen told the court that he tried to help the victim after the victim allegedly fell into a drain and was bleeding heavily.

Jawahir Lal gave his testimony at the High Court in Labasa yesterday before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu.

Defence lawyer Aaron Sen argued that Lal had fabricated the account.

The incident allegedly occurred on June 5, 2022, along the Nasikasika cane access road in Korotari, Labasa, where lawyer Amrit Sen is accused of accidentally reversing his vehicle and running over his passenger.

John Rusiate later died from his injuries. Witness statements also revealed that Rusiate was known as “John Pelo.”

The court heard that the incident followed an earlier confrontation between the first and second accused and a group of brothers, which allegedly escalated into a physical altercation and verbal abuse.

Sen and the second accused, Shumendra Chandra, appeared in court.

Charges
Sen faces multiple charges, including:

• One count of murder
• Two counts of attempted murder
• One count of conspiracy
• Seven counts of acts intended to cause grievous harm
• Two counts of criminal intimidation
• One count of assault causing actual bodily harm
• One count of damaging property
  

State prosecution witness, Jawahir Lal, at the High Court in Labasa on March 6, 2026.

Photo: Sampras Anand

Chandra faces two charges: one count of conspiracy and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Both accused are represented by Aaron Sen and Simione Valenitabua Junior.

During cross-examination, Aaron Sen told the court that Lal had fabricated his version of events and claimed that no assistance was offered to the victim.

He also alleged that Lal had prevented both Chandra and Sen from leaving the vehicle, which could have potentially saved Rusiate’s life.

Witness response
Lal rejected the defence claims, saying he restrained the two accused because Sen had allegedly sworn at him and his brothers.

He told the court that a conversation about helping Rusiate did not occur because the victim was in severe pain and bleeding from the head and nose.

Lal said he had offered assistance, but Rusiate refused to be lifted from the drain due to the seriousness of his injuries.

Aaron Sen further argued that no genuine effort was made to help the victim, noting that Lal did not call an ambulance or contact relatives. Lal admitted he did not call for help and waited.

The defence also alleged that Lal had earlier thrown stones at Rusiate, injuring him before he became trapped under Sen’s vehicle, which allegedly caused the severe injuries leading to his death.

Sen said Lal was attempting to control the narrative and conceal the stone-pelting incident.

The trial continues next week.