Judge questions reliability of drug accused’s surety
La u t o k a judge Justice Chamath Morais yesterday questioned the reliability of drug accused Shaneil Suresh Autar’s surety after he violated his previous bail conditions.
Autar, who is charged with one count of unlawful possession, manufacture, cultivator and supply of illicit drug and one count of unlawful importation and exportation of illicit drug appeared at the High Court in Lautoka.
The accused was represented by Jasveer Singh and the State was represented by Prenika Lata. Justice Morais asked Mr Singh whether Autar had any pending matters. Mr Singh told the court the case was for bail hearing, however, Autar had one pending case of unlawful importation of illicit drugs in the Magistrates Court. He was bailed in this case.
Justice Morais asked Mr Singh why the court should trust Autar if he had violated previous bail conditions. He further inquired about the sureties in the accused’s last bail application.
Mr Singh told the court that the surety was Autar’s mother.
Justice Morais told Mr Singh, Autar’s mother’s name was also on the new bail affidavit, despite not complying with the previous bail conditions for the case in the Magistrates Court. Mr Singh told the court Autar had civil matters with Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority and Credit Corporations where he had pending arrears and loans. Ms Lata told the court Autar had a separate case at the Lautoka Magistrates Court for copyright infringement, where he was convicted.
She clarified that the accused’s civil cases were due before his current case in the High Court. Mr Singh told the court that he received four sets of disclosures and the analysis report was not included. Ms Lata said she could not confirm whether the analysis report was provided to the defence. Mr Singh that he wished to submit a written submission.
The case was adjourned to June 11 for submissions from the defence lawyer.