Former Finance Clerk of the Ministry of Education, Levani Bose and Surend Kumar who were charged by FICAC for allegedly obtaining $123,268.14 in the bus voucher case have been granted bail by the Sigatoka Magistrates Court.
Bose is charged with one count of abuse of office and an alternative count of general dishonesty – causing a loss while Kumar has been charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage.
Both appeared before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa.
Magistrate Daurewa granted a non-cash bail of $1,000 for both accused and ordered them not to re-offend when on bail, and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses with other strict bail conditions including the surrender of all travel documents to the Court.
FICAC says it is alleged that between the 1st of February 2016 and the 16th of August 2019, in the Western Division, Bose falsified the number of voucher coupons on the Transport Assistance Claim Forms submitted by Kumar for the permit, which was an act prejudicial to the rights of MOE.
It is further alleged that between the 1st of February 2016 and the 19th of August 2019, Bose dishonestly caused a loss to the Ministry of Education by processing falsified Transport Assistance Claim Forms submitted by Kumar for the permit, amounting to $123,268.14 knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that the loss.
It is alleged that Surend Kumar between the 1st of February 2016 and the 16th of August 2019, in the Western Division, filled and submitted falsified Transport Assistance Claim Forms for the permit to the Transport Assistance Unit and as a result of such conduct, obtained a financial advantage amounting to $123,268.14.
State Counsel, Nimisha Shankar informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served to both accused.
A stop departure order has been issued against Bose and Kumar.
The matter has been adjourned to the 3rd of December for second-phase of disclosures.
