A former accountant of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and his partner pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, as they appeared in the Suva Magistrate’s Court. Pawan Deo and Subhashni Mudaliar, both proprietors of Sports Supplies Limited (SSL), find themselves accused of unlawfully obtaining a total of $53,788.75 from FRU, reportedly between February 1 and July 31, 2022.

The couple is also charged with fraudulently processing payments to SSL, which resulted in the improper gain of $7,291.83, despite their knowledge that the company was not entitled to this amount. This specific alleged misconduct is said to have occurred between February 1 and May 11, 2022.

During the court proceedings, prosecution attorney Ravinesh Lal confirmed that all necessary disclosures had been provided to the defendants on November 26 of the previous year. The couple’s legal representatives indicated plans to seek reconsideration of the charges from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

Their bail has been extended, and the case is set to resume on February 28 for further hearings. This situation underscores ongoing efforts by the authorities to tackle fraud and corruption within major organizations in Fiji, emphasizing the importance of integrity in financial practices.

The legal journeys of Deo and Mudaliar will be closely observed as the case unfolds, reflecting a larger narrative of accountability and justice in public sectors. Hope remains that this case will contribute to greater awareness and preventive measures against financial misconduct in the future.