Kishore pulls a ‘houdini’
KISHORE Kumar, the suspended schoolteacher accused of making false porn claims against Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua, has pulled a ‘Houdini’ and now finds an extended bench warrant issued against him.
He did not attend to court on Tuesday and yesterday the Suva Magistrate’s Court was told that the investigating officer could not locate him.
And in issuing the extended warrant, Magistrate Seini Puamau did not accept an explanation from DPP lawyer Moira Konrote that he may have been sick.
She said it was the duty of the accused, who is also representing himself in the trial, to present the said sick sheet to the court through an email or by presenting himself at the registry or appear in court and handing it in person.
On reports that he had been a victim of a robbery, Ms Puamau said if Mr Kumar could lodge a complaint at the police station then he could certainly attend court or notify the court.
In addition, she said if Mr Kumar had the energy to post Facebook videos then he should have the energy to bring himself to court.
“If you have access to technology to do that then you have the access to the technology to pick up the phone and call the registry or go to your email account and email the registry,” Magistrate Puamau said.
Investigating officer Ilaitia Temo was summoned and reminded by Magistrate Puamau to be careful when executing the bench warrant to ensure Mr Kumar was arrested using a clean and effective method.
Officer Temo told the court they checked all remand facilities and the CWM Hospital and Valelevu Hospital but could not locate him.
He also told the court that Mr Kumar’s neighbours have not seen him for about two weeks.
He also said Mr Kumar walked into Nasinu Police Station without a sick sheet or visible injuries.
Magistrate Puamau reminded the officer to provide an affidavit or statements to the court.
The case has been adjourned to February 29.