Witness informs court of lawyer's alleged threat to kill Lal
It is alleged that on June 5, 2022, along the Nasikasika cane access road at Korotari, Labasa, Sen accidentally reversed his vehicle and ran over John Rusiate.
Thursday 04 September 2025 | 00:30
State witness Nitesh Sharma told the High Court in Labasa that lawyer and murder accused, Amrit Sen, allegedly swore and threatened to kill Chotu Lal after an argument on the same day Sen’s vehicle fatally struck John Rusiate.
The dispute arose over Sen’s blue Land Cruiser, which was stuck in the Korotari River shortly before Rusiate’s death.
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.
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It is alleged that on June 5, 2022, along the Nasikasika cane access road at Korotari, Labasa, Sen accidentally reversed his vehicle and ran over his passenger, resulting in Rusiate’s fatal injuries.
Co-accused Shumendra Chandra is charged with 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.
Day two of trial
On the second day of the trial Monday, focus turned to how Sen’s vehicle became stuck in the river and the heated exchange that followed.
Sharma testified that Lal, a Korotari resident, drove up to the scene and asked Sen to move his vehicle because it was blocking the road. The Korotari River is commonly used as a sugarcane access road during low tide, and Lal wanted to return home.
Sharma alleged that Sen overreacted.
“Sen used a lot of foul language and told Lal he won’t remove the vehicle and threatened to kill him,” Sharma said.
He told the court he attempted to help by releasing the Land Cruiser’s handbrake, but Sen and Lal continued shouting at each other.
“I got scared hearing the foul language. Sen got aggressive and wanted to throw stones at Lal out of anger,” Sharma said.
He added that Sen appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was difficult to restrain.
“I tried to hold him, but he was too heavy for me and pushed me backwards,” he testified.
Sharma, who is Sen’s brother-in-law, said he only tried to intervene because of family ties.
“I advised Sen not to create problems, but he refused to listen,” he told the court.
The trial is expected to run for a month and has already drawn public speculation in Labasa.
