Former Electoral Commission Chairman and former lawyer Suresh Chandra who is facing six counts of professional misconduct has been allowed by the Independent Legal Services Commission to travel to Australia for medical purposes and return to Fiji before his next appearance on 1st February next year.
As security, Chandra has been order to hand over the original titles of his two properties to the Independent Legal Services Commission.
He has also been ordered not to dispose any of his assets in Fiji pending determination of the disciplinary allegations against him.
In his ruling, Commissioner Justice Daniel Goundar stated that he is satisfied that Chandra has a genuine medical condition that requires overseas treatment.
He says Chandra also has very strong financial ties in Fiji and substantial real estate investments in Fiji.
Justice Goundar adds in the event the disciplinary allegations are proven against Chandra in absentia, orders can be made to recover the shortfalls in the trust account from his assets.
Chandra was a Principal of MC Lawyers and Trustee of MC Lawyers Trust Account kept with Bank of Baroda.
Justice Goundar says that the trust account is currently frozen.
He said that Chandra has not been a holder of a valid practicing certificate since 2020.
Section 12 of the Trust Accounts Act requires a trustee to submit audit reports for each financial period.
Justice Goundar further says Chandra did not submit his audit reports for three financial periods from 2016 to 2018.
Chandra provided the Chief Registrar with four extensions from the Office of the Attorney General to submit his pending audit reports.
The extension was given pursuant to section 12(2) of the Trust Accounts Act.
Justice Goundar adds the last extension was granted until 31st July last year for Chandra to submit his three pending audit reports.
After that no further extension was granted and Chandra’s practising certificate was not renewed.
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