‘Murder suspect’s DNA discovered’
SOME items related to “Indian rituals” discovered at the Nausori Highlands crime scene had traces of the DNA of the accused, Mohammed Raheesh Isoof.
Deputy director Organised Crime Acting Superintendent Aiyaz Ali, who led investigations into the Nausori Highlands deaths, said this while taking the stand at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday.
Mr Ali also informed the court that during the course of the investigation, he received information that Nirmal Kumar and his wife, Usha Devi, the elderly couple whose bodies were found in the highlands, had money in their Bank South Pacific account.
He told the court, presided by Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, that the team obtained closed circuittelevision (CCTV) footage and found that Nirmal had made calls to the accused.
The investigation team also received information that the accused was looking for the chemical Lannate at Goundar’s Hardware in Legalega, Nadi.
Mr Ali informed the court that after obtaining all the footage, they saw the accused driving his rental car from Legalega to NewWorld Supermarket in Votualevu, before making a stop at a shop in Mulomulo then heading for the Nausori Highlands.
State prosecutor Semi Babitu questioned Mr Ali on procedures undertaken to obtain the footage and he stated that a search warrant was executed and given to owners of buildings to allow them to obtain video footage.
Mr Ali said the CCTV footage also showed the deceased family heading to the highlands on the same day.
Simeli Ratu of Sabeto, who worked as a labourer at the accused’s home, also took the stand yesterday.
He said on the morning of August 25, 2019, Mr Isoof informed him he was going to Mulomulo for his prayers.
In cross-examination, defence counsel Iqbal Khan put it to Mr Ratu that the accused did not tell him he was going to Mulomulo to pray, however, the witness maintained that Mr Isoof did inform him.
Mr Isoof faces five counts of murder charges and one of attempted murder.
The trial continues on Wednesday next week.
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