Accused who allegedly harboured Dutt to get bail ruling today
Two men and a woman, who appeared at the Lautoka Magistrates Court yesterday for allegedly harbouring former escaped prisoner Deshwar Kishore Dutt, will today know whether they will be given bail.
Magistrate Mosese Naivalu will deliver his bail ruling this afternoon following submissions from the prosecution and defence counsels. Serupepeli Tuivawa, Shaheel Aman Iqbal and Arti Archana Kumar were charged with one count each for harbouring Dutt on different occasions. Serupepeli was charged with harbouring Dutt from December 20, 2017 to January 2, 2018.
Shaheel Aman Iqbal and Arti Archana Kumar were charged with the same offence, for harbouring Dutt on January 2, 2018 at Lautoka.
The three, who had been in custody since January 4, sought bail through their counsels.
Divisional Police Prosecutor West, ASP Anil Prasad said the three should not be given bail, in the interest of the public and protection of the community. ASP Prasad referred to the refusal of bail to others charged over the same offence in the same case in the Nadi Magistrates Court.
Defence lawyer Faizal Koya questioned as to why the three were not produced in a special court sitting in Nadi last Saturday where Dutt was produced in court.
Mr Koya said Police should have presented the three there and sought an extension to them being remanded in custody because of the mandatory 48 hour period for Police holding someone in custody.
Mr Koya said the three would not cause any problem to the case as the main person involved (Dutt) was already in Naboro Prison.
He said the three were willing to abide by strict bail conditions, surrender travel documents and adhere to any surety requirements.
Mr Naivalu said he would have to read through the bail rulings of the Nadi Magistrates Court before delivering his ruling in this application.