Acquitted 2 on curfew charge each fined $1000 after appeal by DPP

Ravin Lal and Shalvin Chand, whose case was acquitted for failure to comply with lawful order, were yesterday fined $1000 each by the Nadi Magistrates Court.

Lal, 29, a mechanic and Chand, 29, a driver, were acquitted by the then presiding Magistrate Turaga Siromi.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions filed an appeal against the ruling by the magistrate last month.

On April 10, Lal and Chand were found breaching curfew along Queens Road. Magistrate Siromi had acquitted the two based on the validity of the charge adding that the Prime Minister’s directive was null and void. Yesterday, Magistrate Nirosha Kannangara sentenced the men to pay their fine within three months.

They had previously pleaded guilty.

Their fine will be reviewed on August 17.