Body Find, Police Suspect Foul Play
“When I arrived, the police officers told me that they found the taxi empty, and the body was in the bush behind the trees a few metres away from the taxi,” Mr Kumar said.
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | 11:25
Jitendra Kumar (left), with a relative, Ritesh Dayal near the crime scene at Waisali Hill in Savusavu on March 19, 2024. Photo: Shratika Naidu. Inset: Deceased...Amitendra Kumar
Police have suspected foul play after the body of a 28-year-old man was discovered at Waisali Hill along the Hibiscus Highway in Savusavu yesterday.
Divisional Police Commander Northern Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokadroka said it could be a case of an alleged murder.
“The body was discovered further downhill from where the taxi was found parked near the main road,” he said.
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“As investigators gather more information to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his death, the initial information gathered reveals that the victim failed to return home after driving his taxi.”
The late Amitendra Kumar was described as a hardworking person by his father.
Jitendra Kumar (left), with a relative, Ritesh Dayal near the crime scene at Waisali Hill in Savusavu on March 19, 2024. Photo: Shratika Naidu. Inset: Deceased...Amitendra Kumar
“We were all happy expecting to see their child soon and them being parents for the first time.”
It had been about three to four months since Amitendra has been driving a taxi as a part-time job after work.
The distraught father said he last saw the couple last Sunday when they visited him.
“I never thought that this would have been our last gathering and the next day someone would take him away from us,” Mr Kumar said.
“My daughter-in-law said Amitendra left home at 7.30 pm on Monday to take a job, and nothing further.”
When the wife realised that he failed to return home at 11pm, she asked family members to search for him.
This recent discovery would mean that villagers, communities, and travelers will be skeptical since this particular area is secluded.
Waisali Hill is a prominent tourist spot because of the famous Lomaloma Springwater. The location is about 30 minutes’ drive away from Savusavu Town and around 45 minutes away from Labasa Town.
Fiji Taxi Association general secretary Ashwin Lal called on police to increase patrols on the road, including highways.
He also advised taxi drivers to install cameras in their vehicles.
“This is the first alleged murder of a taxi driver this year, and we are saddened to hear this news,” Mr Lal said.
“It had been only a few months since one taxi driver was murdered in Ba.”
He said taxi drivers had families and some were the sole breadwinners.
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