The High Court in Suva is set to determine a trial date for a civil case involving former finance minister Professor Biman Prasad and Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhary, with October or November being the anticipated months for the proceedings. The case was discussed yesterday in front of Justice Anjala Wati.
Professor Prasad has accused Mr. Chaudhary of making false and defamatory statements about him on Facebook multiple times since 2023. Court documents reveal that Mr. Chaudhary alleged in a social media post last year that Prof. Prasad allocated $200,000 to the Global Girmit Institute (GGI) for the Girmit Conference, an organization that Mr. Chaudhary described as discredited and deregistered during that period.
Moreover, the post claimed that GGI sought re-registration in February 2023 and mentioned Prof. Prasad’s wife, Rajni Kaushal Chand, along with Ganesh Chand and Hirdesh Sharma as trustees. Mr. Chaudhary implied that Prof. Prasad had authorized the release of government funds without adhering to the appropriate procedures.
Prof. Prasad, represented by Sherani & Co, contends that the post remains publicly accessible and has caused significant harm to his reputation. To support his case, he plans to summon five witnesses, whereas Mr. Chaudhary is expected to bring in seven witnesses.
The court has adjourned the matter to April 9, when a trial date will be set, signaling a continued focus on issues surrounding accountability and public statements by political figures. This case highlights the ongoing challenges in political discourse and the legal implications of online statements.
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