Biman Threatens Lawsuits Against Chaudhry

In a statement, Mr Chaudhry highlighted what he claimed were Government operation flaws which needed public attention. 

Friday 02 August 2024 | 16:40

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad on August 1, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar/ Inset: Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad on August 1, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar/ Inset: Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

A lawsuit for defamation could be on its way to former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry for allegation of defamation against Minister for Finance Biman Prasad.

This is after Mr Chaudhry made calls for Government to disclose detailed accounts of the 2023 Grimit celebration.

“The finance minister who is also under investigation by Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), has failed to provide detailed accounts of the $500,000 allocated for the 2023 Girmit celebrations almost half of which was granted to a discredited institute headed by his wife and a political ally at the time,” Mr Chaudhry said.

He made these comments after criticising the ‘lavish’ Grand Pacific Hotel special dinner on Tuesday this week hosted by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for Government Ministers, assistant Ministers and their spouses.

In a statement, Mr Chaudhry highlighted what he claimed were Government operation flaws which needed public attention.

This included alleged drug and sex scandal that involved two ministers early this year, who are still in Cabinet.

Responding to these comments, Mr Prasad said: “Mahendra Chaudhry is the biggest crook that I know, he was hiding $2 million in Australia, he’s a convicted criminal and is the last person to talk.

“Why is he jumping around? Mahendra Chaudhry is a compulsive liar lying about the Girmit funding approved by Cabinet which has two components of Girmit celebration and conference, and this man, a convicted criminal, who was hiding $2 million in Australia is lying about what happened, I mean, we’ll see him in Court very soon for defamation and for lying about the whole issue.”

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