The Senior Administrative Officer with the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Varoon Jayant Chandra appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon charged with one count of Using Forged Document, and two counts of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.
On the first count of Using Forged Document, it is alleged on or about 16 January 2018, Varoon Jayant Chandra knowingly used false Fiji National University Certificate and Academic Transcripts with the intention of dishonestly inducing public officials employed at the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources to accept the documents as genuine in order to dishonestly obtain the position of Acting Senior Administrative Officer (Asset/Procurement).
On the two counts of Obtaining a Financial Advantage, it is alleged between 16 June 2021 and 1 July 2022, Varoon Jayant Chandra received extra salary amounting to $7,011.51 and as a result of that conduct obtained a financial advantage for himself from the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, knowing or believing he was not eligible to receive the said financial advantage.
FICAC State Counsel Immanuel Turaga informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Resident Magistrate Somaratne granted a non-cash bail of $1,000 and ordered the accused not to re-offend while on bail, not to interfere with prosecution witnesses, not to change his address without first informing the Court and to surrender his passport to the Court.
A Stop Departure Order is to be issued against Varoon Jayant Chandra.
The matter has been adjourned to 8 July 2025 for second phase disclosures and election of Court regarding the first count.