The Suva High Court has deferred the judgment in the appeal of Shalendra Kumar to the 8th of April, 2025.
The matter was called before Justice Aruna Aluthge for sentencing hearing, where Counsel for the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Ms. Arieta Vaganalau, informed the Court, that given the seriousness of the offending, it warrants a custodial sentence which would serve as a deterrent to others.
Justice Tuiqereqere referred to the complexity of the matter, in-depth arguments by both sides, and the need to carefully consider the same before delivering the judgment.
Mr. Kumar was convicted in the Magistrates Court on charges of Obtaining a Financial Advantage and Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice, and was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 5 years.
FICAC was represented in the appeal proceedings by the former Principal State Counsel Ms. Sera Fatafehi, while Mr. Mohammed Saneem represented Mr. Kumar.