The case against drug accused Thakor Punja will continue as the Suva Magistrate Yogesh Prasad has dismissed his stay on proceedings application due to abuse of process.
Punja is charged with one count each of unlawful possession of 0.84 grams of methamphetamine, 5.447 grams of cocaine and 6.6 grams of marijuana.
Punja's counsel, Samuela Heritage, made the stay application on the grounds that there was an abuse of process, as only four police officers who conducted the raid had provided statements, despite CCTV footage showing there were more.
They had also made the application on the ground that one police officer, in his statement, said Punja was arrested last year; however, he was arrested in 2024.
Magistrate Prasad dismissed the application as the Magistrates' Court does not have jurisdiction to rule in such matters.
The hearing to determine the admissibility of disputed evidence will be held from November 23rd to the 27th, as the defence has not agreed to any facts by the prosecution.
The trial is from November 30th to December 4th.
The pre-trial conference is on May 28th.
