Witness breaks down in court as family ties unravel in murder trial

The High Court in Labasa yesterday heard emotional testimony from state witness Nitesh Sharma, who wept as he described how murder accused lawyer, Amrit Sen, allegedly used abusive language and threatened to kill his family.

Sharma, who is Sen’s brother-in-law, said their relationship had broken down following what he described as Sen’s “nuisance behaviour.” He told the court that a once-valued family bond had been destroyed when Sen escalated a minor dispute into a tragic event.

The case stems from an incident on June 5, 2022, when Sen’s blue Land Cruiser became stuck in the Korotari River, which also serves as a sugarcane access road. Sharma testified that his uncle, Chotu Lal, had asked Sen to remove the vehicle so others could pass, but instead Sen allegedly reacted angrily, swore, and threatened to kill Lal.

Moments later along the Nasikasika cane access road, Sen is alleged to have accidentally reversed his vehicle, fatally running over his own passenger, John Rusiate.

Sen appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu charged with 15 offences: one count of murder, two of attempted murder, one of conspiracy, seven of acts intended to cause grievous harm, two of criminal intimidation, one of assault causing actual bodily harm, and one of damaging property.

Co-accused Shumendra Chandra faces charges of conspiracy and assault causing actual bodily harm, while Muqtadeer Saif Kaiyum faces one count of conspiracy. Defence lawyer Simione Valenitabua Jnr is representing Sen and Chandra, while Kaiyum is represented by lawyer Kaushik Kumar.

“Healthy relationship turned sour”

Sharma recalled that his family had once welcomed Sen and his friends whenever they visited the Korotari River for picnics and parties.

“I told Sen that for so long he had been coming to the river for picnics, and every time he needed food my wife would prepare the meal and bring it to him. I used to value Sen as a noble brother-in-law,” Sharma testified.

When asked by state prosecution what Sen’s response had been, Sharma said there was none. Instead, he claimed Sen became angrier when he tried to calm the situation between Lal and the accused.

The court heard that Sen then threatened to return with men to intrude on Sharma’s home and physically abuse his mother.

Sharma said he immediately warned his uncles about the risk of Sen carrying out his threats.