The Suva Magistrate’s Court has postponed the sentencing of former Post Fiji chief executive officer, Anirudha Bansod, to August 7. Bansod appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad yesterday. Representing Bansod is lawyer Devanesh Sharma, while prosecution lawyer is Arieta Vaganalau.
Magistrate Prasad has sought clarification on a few issues in the matter and has instructed the two parties to focus on conflict of interest as the central issue. Mr. Sharma argued that a fair bid was submitted and that any conflict of interest was perceived rather than actual. He added that Bansod had nothing to do with choosing who the tender was to be awarded to.
Ms. Vaganalau maintained that there was a conflict of interest and that Bansod did not declare that he knew the bidders. Magistrate Prasad said that he would not rush into the sentencing and instructed the two parties to prepare and present their submissions within the next seven days before a verdict is determined by the court.
It is alleged that Bansod provided false declarations regarding confidentiality and conflict of interest for the tender of the design, development, and implementation of the Post Fiji Mobile Application in 2022.