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.
