2 Police Officers Denied Bail For Attempted Rape of Colleague

Two police officers charged with one count of attempted rape of a fellow officer were denied bail.

Suspended police constable, Kaushik Rattan and Shivnesh Kumar, appeared before Magistrate, Bimsara Jagodage, at the Magistrates Court in Labasa, yesterday.

The alleged incident happened last Wednesday night and the matter was reported at the Seaqaqa Police Station.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Vignesh Prasad, objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence.

Mr Prasad said the offence was a breach of trust among the colleagues.

Other objections included, public interest and interference with victim.

The second accused (in handcuff) Shivnesh Kumar, outside the Magistrates Court in Labasa on July 17, 2023. Photo: Sampras Anand.

Defence counsel for both accused, Amrit Sen from Sen Lawyers, said the matter was just an attempted charge and there was no evidence of the incident.

Mr Sen assured the court that his clients would abide by the bail conditions and not interfere with the victim.

“Every person has the right to bail unless it is in the interest of justice,” he said.

Prosecution argued the matter was serious and to ensure protection of the community, bail should be rejected.

Mr Sen told the court that the victim had tried to withdraw her complaint, however, was not accepted by the station officers.

Magistrate Jagodage, gave the prosecution three days to file their affidavit pertaining to the case for court to consider bail.

Mr Sen requested the court if both his clients could be remanded at the Labasa Police Station until the case since they had all the facilities.

However, Magistrate, Jagodage, declined and remanded them at the Vaturekuka Corrections Complex in Labasa.

The matter was adjourned for bail hearing on July 21 at 2pm.

Story by: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj