Rape Case Trial Ready to Proceed
According to the documents before him, Judge Ratuvili noted he had two cases of breaching his suspended sentence and absconding bail.
The State Prosecution is ready to move ahead with the trial hearing for Pandit David Maharaj, who was alleged to have raped a 14-year-old girl. Maharaj, who appeared before Judge Justice Usaia Ratuvili at the High Court in Suva yesterday, is charged with four counts of rape, one count each of sexual assault and pornographic activities involving a juvenile.
The alleged incident occured on October 16, 2023, in Navua.
During yesterday proceedings, State prosecutor Purwashi Kumar told the court that both lawyers were ready to move forward as all preliminary issues regarding the case had all been sorted.
She said a pre-trial conference had been set as the trial dates. Defence lawyer Severo Ravu had no objections to this.
Judge Ratuvili then adjourned the matter to November 5 for mention before going into trial which is set for January 13 to 17, 2025.
Aside from his trial hearing, Maharaj is also applying for bail. During the bail hearing, Judge Ratuvili asked Maharaj on what grounds should the court grant him bail.
According to the documents before him, Judge Ratuvili noted he had two cases of breaching his suspended sentence and absconding bail.
Both cases were a 2012 matter which was ruled in 2017 and were under his former name, Lakshman Sharma.
Maharaj argued he has changed because he has become a Christian.
Maharaj denied that he did the crime and argued that he was willing to obey court orders.
While arguing his grounds for bail, Maharaj said for someone who suffers from a heart disease, the six months he spent in prison were torture as the facilities weren’t safe and helpful for him and his condition.
He told the court he was always obedient and followed Police instructions. Maharaj was ready to submit his sureties should he be granted bail yesterday, however Judge Ratuvili, said only their information was needed for now. It was heard in court that the charges laid against him were serious offences and should he be found guilty, jail time was inevitable.
He told the court that he was innocent until proven guilty.
He said it was impossible for him to interfere with the witness as he lived in Nausori while the witness lived at Navua.
Judge Ratuvili has adjourned the matter to April 30 for bail ruling. Maharaj will remain at the Suva Remand Centre until then
Maharaj argued he has changed because he has become a Christian.