State will engage A-G’s office to extradite murder suspect
Taitusi Tuenuku says prosecution will seek assistance of the Attorney-General’s office to extradite murder suspect Rinal Ravinesh who is in New Zealand. The State lawyer told this to the High Court in Lautoka in the case of Saimoni Seru who is alleged to have murdered Karishma Gounder. Ravinesh is a suspect in the case. Ms Grounder’s body was found floating in the sea near a private property at Lomolomo Beach on November 12, 2022, by a farmer of Sabeto, Nadi.
The matter was heard before Judge Justice Riyaz Hamza on Thursday and the defence was represented by Legal Aid Commission lawyer Kelly Vulimainadave. Justice Hamza asked prosecutor Mr Tuenuku on the status of Rinal Ravinesh who was the second suspect in the case.
Mr Tuenuku said prosecution had spoken to police to confirm whether Ravinesh was a permanent resident of New Zealand as it could not charge him in his absence.
Justice Hamza said that if a trial could be held in absentia: Then why could the state not charge Ravinesh in his absence?
He said this set a bad precedent because it meant an accused person could commit a crime and flee.
Mr Tuenuku said the state was of the view it had enough information to extradite Ravinesh on the basis that he is a suspect in the case.
However, it was concerned about the implication that it was charging him in his absence.
He also told the court Ravinesh was never taken to the police to be formally charged and that the state wanted him to be physically present as he had not been caution interviewed yet.
Mr Tuenuku requested further time to file the transcripts of Seru’s video-recorded caution interview as the state is still awaiting the same and that calls were made to the director of the Criminal Investigation Department.
Justice Hamza told Mr Tuenuku to tell police that he wanted the transcripts of Seru’s video-recorded caution interview to be filed within two weeks.
Ms Vulimainadave said the defence would need these documents to see whether or not Seru had made any admissions in his caution interview and if the defence would challenge this.
Justice Hamza said he would call the matter in three weeks’ time before he adjourned the matter to June 1 for mention.