The Suva Magistrate’s Court has postponed the sentencing of former Post Fiji CEO, Anirudha Bansod, to August 7. Bansod appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, with lawyer Devanesh Sharma representing him and Arieta Vaganalau serving as the prosecution lawyer.
Magistrate Prasad requested clarification on several issues and instructed both parties to concentrate on conflict of interest as the primary concern. Sharma argued that the bid submitted was fair and any conflict of interest was perceived rather than actual, emphasizing that Bansod did not influence the tender decision.
Vaganalau countered that there was indeed a conflict of interest and Bansod failed to disclose his acquaintance with the bidders. Magistrate Prasad emphasized that he would not hasten the sentencing and instructed both parties to prepare and present their submissions within the next seven days before the court makes a verdict.
Bansod is accused of making false declarations about confidentiality and conflict of interest in relation to the tender for the design, development, and implementation of the Post Fiji Mobile Application in 2022.