The Magistrates Court has emphasized that the crime of abuse of office aims to protect the integrity of government institutions from systemic corruption and misuse of power.
Anirudha Bansod, former CEO of Post Fiji, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for submitting false confidentiality and conflict of interest declarations during the tender process for the design, development, and implementation of the Post Fiji Mobile Application.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Yogesh Prasad noted the importance of public interest and deterrence, opting not to suspend the sentence.
Bansod was found to have lied about having no connections with Technobase IT Solutions Limited, despite having known the bidding company. Magistrate Prasad stated that Bansod had severely violated the trust placed in him, which required him to act in Post Fiji Limited’s best interest at all times.
The evidence presented in court, including WhatsApp messages exchanged between Bansod and Technobase IT Solutions Limited Director Vaibhav Deshpande, demonstrated that insider information regarding a government enterprise was leaked in the lead-up to the bidding process.
The court highlighted that Technobase IT Solutions ultimately won the contract to provide e-wallet services among other competitors. Bansod was found to have misused the trust of a government enterprise that granted him the authority to make significant corporate decisions for the company’s benefit, while knowingly acting contrary to this responsibility.
In considering mitigating factors, the court acknowledged that Bansod is a first-time offender, expressed remorse, and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Defence Lawyer Devanesh Sharma stated he has not yet decided whether to appeal the sentence.