North businessman on sexual offence-related charges charge bailed
ASeaqaqa businessman facing sexual offence-related charges has been granted bail by the Labasa Magistrates Court yesterday.
Hasim Khan is charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of indecently insulting or annoying any person. He appeared before Magistrate Seinileba Levaci.
The charges relate to incidents against three complainants on separate occasions between January 2017 and February 2020. Police Prosecutor Corporal Rajinesh Prasad objected to bail saying that the three victims were former employees of the accused and he would interfere with them.
Khan’s lawyer, Amrit Sen, said his client should be granted bail because the alleged incidents were claimed to have happened three years ago.
He questioned Police officers on what they were doing all these years.
He argued that his client had not been in contact with the victims then how would he interfere with them now?
Mr Sen said it was only when pressure was applied on Police that they had charged his client.
Magistrate Levaci asked Corporal Prasad where the victims were residing and he responded saying all lived in Macuata Province.
She then asked for two sureties for the accused. They were Aktar Hussain and Mohammed Ali, both relatives.
They were ordered to sign a bail bond of $4000 and told to ensure that the accused reports at Seaqaqa Police Station every last Friday of the month and to appear for all his court dates.
The case has been adjourned for mention on November 20.
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