The Magistrates Court in Suva has decided to extend the bail for Thakor Punja, who faces three charges of unlawful possession of illicit drugs. The court has scheduled a Pre-Trial Conference for February 19, 2025. Punja is alleged to have been found with 0.84 grams of methamphetamine, 5.447 grams of cocaine, and 6.6 grams of marijuana. He has entered a plea of not guilty to these charges.
Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad has also granted time for the lead defense lawyer, Iqbal Khan, to travel to Australia for a scheduled eye surgery. Defense counsel Samuela Heritage appeared on behalf of Khan and requested that the matter be postponed until later this year to accommodate the surgery. The court agreed to this request without objection.
Additionally, the Police Prosecution provided full disclosures to the defense, which was confirmed by counsel Heritage.