A Senior Administrative Officer with the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources who allegedly faked his academic certificate and transcripts for a promotion has been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.
Varoon Jayant Chandra appeared before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne, charged by FICAC with using forged document, and two counts of obtaining a financial advantage.
It is alleged on or about 16th January 2018, Chandra knowingly used false a Fiji National University certificate and academic transcripts with the intention of dishonestly inducing public officials employed at the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources to accept the documents as genuine in order to dishonestly obtain the position of Acting Senior Administrative Officer (Asset/Procurement).
It is alleged between 16th June 2021 and 1st July 2022, Varoon Jayant Chandra received extra salary amounting to $7,011.51 and as a result of that conduct obtained a financial advantage for himself from the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, knowing or believing he was not eligible to receive the financial advantage.
FICAC lawyer Immanuel Turaga informed the court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Magistrate Somaratne granted a non-cash bail of $1,000 and ordered the accused not to re-offend while on bail, not to interfere with prosecution witnesses, not to change his address without first informing the Court and to surrender his passport to the Court.
A Stop Departure Order will also be issued against Chandra.
The matter has been adjourned to 8th July.
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