Chaudhry to pay $2 million fine today

It’s D-day for Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry who has to pay his $2 million fine to the High Court by today.

Chaudhry’s lawyer, Anand Singh told Fijivillage that he believes Chaudhry will pay the fine and abide by all the orders of the court.

He also said the application for an interim stay on the sentence is also fixed for hearing later today.

Chaudhry wants a stay on the sentencing as he wants to appeal his conviction and sentence.

Chaudhry was fined $2 million by High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan on the 2nd of May.

The judge ordered that he has to pay the fine by the 30th of June this year.

Justice Madigan has ruled that failure to pay the fine will result in Chaudhry serving 15 months in prison.

He has to serve a minimum term of 12 months in jail.

Chaudhry’s conviction has also been recorded which means that he is ineligible to contest the 2014 general election.

Mahendra Chaudhry also has to comply with the Exchange Control Act by the 31st of July this year which means that he needs to repatriate the 1.5 million Australian dollars held in Australia.

Failure to do so will make him liable for prosecution for continuing breach of the Exchange Control Act.

Chaudhry cannot travel outside Fiji until he complies with the court’s order.

Chaudhry’s name has been announced as a proposed candidate for the Fiji Labour Party for the September 17th polls and he confirmed that he will nominate his name for the election despite his conviction.