A family is in mourning and calling on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of their father, 37-year-old Ashneel Kumar, whose body was found in the Qawa River in Labasa on Tuesday.
Speaking to fijivillage News, his wife Shayal Nand says she wants Police to determine exactly what happened.
Kumar, who was originally from Ba, was staying with his wife, children, and mother-in-law in Urata, Bulileka, Labasa.
Nand says her husband had informed the family that he was attending a birthday celebration at a friend’s house on Saturday night, but later ended up at a nearby residence where he was drinking grog before heading home.
She says when he did not return home on Sunday, they filed a missing persons report with police.
She adds that certain findings at the scene have raised questions, including the discovery of his shoes and umbrella on a hill near their home, while another shoe was later found near the Urata riverbank.
HINDI INSERT: Nand on details surrounding death 16th Apr
Nand questions why her husband would have returned towards the river after already making his way uphill.
INSERT: Nand questions returning route 16th Apr
She says these details have made it difficult for her to accept that her husband simply fell into the river.
She is urging the police to determine whether the incident was accidental or if foul play was involved.
