The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking a guideline judgement from the Suva High Court regarding the sentence of 57-year-old former school teacher Kishore Kumar, who was given 1 year and 10 months, suspended for five years, in the Lenora Qereqeretabua case.
The appeal matter was first called before Suva High Court Judge Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull today.
Kumar was not present, as the ODPP had only served him with a petition on the 20th of May.
Assistant DPP, Laisani Tabuakuro informed the court that this was the first case under the Online Safety Commission, and they believe it needs to be reviewed.
Tabuakuro also raised that they are not aware who the case manager for Kumar is.
She says Kumar should have been in custody to ensure he is taking his medication and questioned how he would comply with the suspended sentence if his whereabouts are unknown.
The Assistant DPP confirmed they don’t know Kumar’s location.
The matter has been adjourned to the 1st of August.
Kumar was sentenced after being found guilty of causing harm by electronic communication and one count of criminal intimidation.
He had made false claims on his facebook page, “Kishore Kumar Publications,” that there was a porn video of Qereqeretabua.
Kumar was sentenced on the 17th of April this year by Magistrate Seini Puamau.
