16 January, 2026, 1:26 pm Central - 32°C Rain

Remanded alleged murderer Rihaal Kumar fails to appear in court

Remanded alleged murderer Rihaal Kumar fails to appear in court

By Navitalai Naivalurua
16/01/2026
Rihaal Kumar

A production order has been issued by the Suva High Court for 18-year-old high school student, Rihaal Kumar, who allegedly murdered Sharuf Shaakir Khan at a Suva apartment complex in July 2025, after his lawyers told the court that they do not know the whereabouts of their client. 

Kumar's case was called before Suva High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar this morning and Kumar was not present in court.

Kumar's counsel Mark Anthony told the court that they have been in contact with his parents as they are having trouble to meet with his client.

He says Kumar's parents have informed him that they are being given the run around this week, because when they went to meet their son at the remand centre on Tuesday, they were told to come again on Thursday and the same response was given when they went yesterday.

He also highlighted that Kumar's father told him that when they visited Kumar during the family visitation, Kumar has changed and has been quiet.

When Justice Goundar asked the State if they know the whereabouts of Kumar, the State Counsel, Bhavna Kantharia informed the court that they are also unaware.

Justice Gounder says Kumar will be admitted at the St Giles Hospital as an in-patient for observation and should be in court at 2.30pm next Thursday.


FEATURE NEWS
500 EFL workers threaten strike action in Feb, EFL silent
About 500 workers of Energy Fiji Limited could go on strike on the 25th of February as the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji has is...
25 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
$200 Back-to-School payments begin for 185,000 students
Around 185,000 students will be paid in the first batch this afternoon as the Ministry of Finance begins rolling out the $200 Back-to-School ...
17 minutes ago

Fiji sets national direction for ocean economy with Blue Economy Framework
The Cabinet has endorsed the Fiji Blue Economy Framework 2025 to 2035, setting a national policy direction for sustainable, inclusive, and ...
29 minutes ago

Remanded alleged murderer Rihaal Kumar fails to appear in court
A production order has been issued by the Suva High Court for 18-year-old high school student, Rihaal Kumar, who allegedly murdered Sharuf Shaakir ...
1 hour ago

Judicial Services Commission withdraws advertisement for FICAC Commissioner
The Judicial Services Commission has withdrawn their advertisement inviting applications for the position of Commissioner of the Fiji Independent ...
2 hours ago

PM in NZ to undergo medical review of an old injury
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka is in New Zealand to undergo a scheduled medical review of an old injury from his rugby days. A government statement ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
14 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
25 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
25 days ago

TOP