Court remands captured escapee Dutt and two others

Three men who were arrested during an alleged attempted robbery at a warehouse in Nadi last month were remanded yesterday by the Nadi Magistrates Court.

Their alleged attempted robbery was said to have been foiled by Police.

The three accused, Deshwar Dutt, Apakuki Sowane and Epeli Ruivadra appeared before Magistrate Chandni Dias for charges involving five counts of aggravated robbery, seven counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of serious assault and theft. The court heard that on April 29, both Dutt and Sowane allegedly robbed Avinesh Prasad of cash and assorted items worth $1730. On same day Dutt and Sowane allegedly robbed Anita Subamma of cash and assorted items values at $77,680.

On May 14 in Nadi, Dutt allegedly robbed Christa Glass of cash and assorted items worth $10,929 with a cane knife and pinch bar. The court also heard that between May 23 and 24 that Dutt, Sowane and Ruivadra allegedly entered the main office of the Nippon Auto Parts and Tyre Centre as trespassers with the intent to commit theft.

On the same day it is alleged that they dishonestly appropriated $4000 from the property of Iqbal Khan.

It is also alleged they entered the Home Hardware Suppliers to commit theft and dishonestly appropriated $65 from the property of Pravinesh Nandan. They allegedly entered the Green Leaf Supply Solutions with intent to commit theft. Between May 23 and 24, Dutt and Sowane had also resisted arrest and assaulted Police officers.

Dutt was represented by Litia Vateitei while the Divisional Police Prosecutor West, ASP Anil Prasad, represented the State.

ASP Prasad strongly object to bail because of the seriousness of the offences involved. Mr Prasad told the court that Dutt was on the run after escaping from his confinement area. He was also convicted by Justice Salesi Temo for two counts of aggravated robbery where he was given 15 years on each count and had to serve it concurrently. “The accused committed those offences whilst on the run in various areas in the Western Division,” said ASP Prasad. He asked the court that Dutt, who is a serving prisoner in all five cases, be brought to court on production order. As for Sowane and Ruivadra, ASP Prasad objected to bail because they would not honour the date if given bailed; Sowane has two previous convictions escaping from lawful custody.

“If you look at the files here this incident happens in the late night when the community is asleep and they committed all the offences, they breached their rights,” ASP Prasad said.

“In their own interest they should be kept in their own confined place. Secondly the protection of the community as these accused breach the rights of the people for their safety. They are menace to society and need to be kept in a confined place.” The court heard that a fourth suspect, who was also arrested, remains admitted in the Nadi Hospital because he suffered injuries after jumping off the building during the alleged incident.

The court also heard that all three accused are alleged to have been involved in other robberies which they have also been charged with.

All three accused will now be remanded at the Natabua Corrections facility. The court also advised the accused persons for any alibi notice to be served in the next 21 days.

They will all be called for mention on June 14 at the High Court in Lautoka.