JUDGE ACQUITS MAN, LABELS IT AS SOUR GRAPES CASE

Later in the proceedings, the court heard that the complainant found out that the accused left her and was about to marry another woman, which he did later

Ajudge presiding over a rape allegation case has acquitted the defendant after assessing the evidence in court and labelling it as a case of ‘sour grapes’. Justice Aruna Aluthge was summing up the case at the High Court in Lautoka. This was the trial of a Harun Ali, against a complainant whose name has been suppressed. Ali had faced four counts of rape allegation. However, the third count was withdrawn by the complainant because she told the prosecution that she had consented.

The offences were alleged to have taken place in Nadi on 26 September 2014, December 25, 2014 and May 2, 2015.

During the trial, the complainant stated that although she was raped on these occasions, she did not tell anyone of the incidents. Justice Aluthge said she had told the court that after the alleged rape, she went to the neighbour and was given some lovo which she brought back to the house and shared with Ali. Defence Counsel Iqbal Khan, who was assisted by Sabrina Khan questioned the complainant saying she had no justification or excuse for what happened.

Later in the proceedings, the court heard that the complainant found out that the accused left her and was about to marry another woman, which he did later.

Therefore, Justice Aluthge said the complainant’s actions were of an act of revenge, and on all the occasions they were in a consensual relationship. Furthermore, the complainant had sent several messages and texts calling him a stray dog and despite the fact she admitted that the phone numbers

Ali had faced four counts of rape allegation. However, the third count was withdrawn by the complainant because she told the prosecution that she had consented.

were hers she denied sending several other text messages. Justice Alutge during his summing up read to the assessors the definition of “sour grapes”.

Thereafter, after the summing up the three assessors found Ali not guilty on all three counts.

Mr Ali thanked his defence team. He said he had suffered a lot during the last five years and that he was now married and has one child and looks forward to a positive future.