The trial date for Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry’s case has been set for next year.
Chaudhry who faces three charges related to violation of tax laws appeared with his solicitor, Anand Singh yesterday as his lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry has been suspended from practicing law.
Singh asked the court to adjourn the matter to February next year as their incoming counsel needs to study the whole proceeding.
High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan today set the trial date from 23rd to 27th of September next year.
DPP lawyer Nancy Tikoisuva told the court that the trial will be short as they are looking at calling five witnesses.
The first count against Chaudhry is in relation to failure to surrender foreign currency, where it is alleged that Mahendra Chaudhry between November 2000 and July 2010 retained the sum of $1.5 million Australian dollars for his own use and benefit, without the consent of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
The second count is in relation to dealing in foreign currency otherwise than with an authorised dealer without permission.
The third count relates to failure to collect debts where it is alleged that Chaudhry having the right to receive a sum of $1.5 million Australian dollars from the Financial Institutions in Australia and New Zealand, caused the delay of payment of the sum, in whole or in part, to himself by authorizing the continual reinvestment of the sum together with interest acquired back into the Financial Institutions without the permission of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
Story by: Ronal Deo
