Kumar refuses court’s mental evaluation order

A HEATED moment occurred in court yesterday after suspended schoolteacher Kishore Kumar rejected Magistrate Seini Puamau’s order he be remanded in custody for a psychiatric evaluation.

Mr Kumar is charged with one count of indecently annoying a person and one count of criminal intimidation for allegedly making false claims on the existence of porn videos of politician Lenora Qereqeretabua — on his Facebook page, Kishore Kumar Publications.

When questioned why he did not attend an earlier court date, Mr Kumar said he was following the doctor’s orders.

“There’s no reason for me to hide,” he said after explaining he was the victim of a robbery attack and was taken to the hospital by police.

On the day of the alleged attack, he said police took him to the hospital at 11am and he left the hospital at 4pm.

The State confirmed yesterday that a sick sheet issued in his name was received dated March 2.

Magistrate Puamau was not pleased with the reasons given because of the prior promises made in court.

She told Mr Kumar that he did not get to pick and choose when he would appear in court because he promised in his bail undertaking he would be present whenever his case was called.

“He breached that promise,” the magistrate said.

Ms Puamau said a file would be sent to acting Chief Magistrate

Waqa Volavola to issue an order for psychiatric evaluation on April 3.

Mr Kumar refused to accept the psychiatric evaluation and remand into custody order saying that under Section 26 of the Constitution he was being victimised by the court.

“It is a blind justice,” he said. The case has been adjourned to May 20.