MURDER ACCUSED GETS LAWYER REPLACED

Jiten Reddy Lawyers have replaced Sen’s Law firm in providing a defence lawyer for attempted murder accused, Sanjeshwar Chand. This case is of high interest among people in Labasa and Macuata because of the severity of the alleged injuries to the complainant. However, the change in the law firm is believed to be a sudden push from Chand to prove his innocence. New defence lawyer Kaushik Kumar represented Chand during his plea at the High Court in Labasa, last Friday. Chand, 41, appeared before Judge Justice, Usaia Ratuvili, charged with one count of attempted murder of his girlfriend, Neha Chand, after an argument between them at a secluded place at Wailevu, Labasa, on December 12, last year. He was alleged to have caused multiple injuries using a knife allegedly as an attempted murder weapon. Mr Kumar sought a short adjournment date for the plea because they were not able to

obtain the full set of disclosures pertaining to the case. He said the time request would prepare his client well to take plea. State prosecutor Luisa Latu did not object to the request of the defence. Ms Latu said disclosures had been served to the previous defence lawyer, Amrit Sen, however, was not sure whether correspondence was reached between the two firms for transfer of information. Judge Justice Ratuvili adjourned the matter for plea to April 21, 2023. Mr Kumar also informed the court of the bail variation application filed by previous defence lawyer, Mr Sen, to attend his father’s funeral, had become moot. This was after the court was not able to hear the variation request due to short notice. Judge Ratuvili took note of this information. Mr Kumar informed the court that he intended to file a bail review in the matter to amend certain changes in circumstances.