Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu of Suva has expressed his concerns regarding the unnecessary summoning of individuals to court for explanations that may not be relevant to ongoing cases. His remarks were made during the proceedings of murder suspect Anare Vuli Cilicewa, 28, who is accused of fatally injuring Shabreen Shain Ali during a fierce argument on September 8.
The court is currently awaiting a psychiatric evaluation report for Mr. Cilicewa from Dr. Kiran Gaikwad of St Giles Hospital. During previous discussions, the doctor indicated that additional time was needed to complete the evaluation, while also requesting essential information to aid in his analysis. Justice Bulamainaivalu permitted the handover of necessary information to the doctor but expressed reluctance to disclose confidential data.
Defense attorney Manisha Singh argued that the disclosures were vital for Dr. Gaikwad to understand the incident comprehensively and proposed that the doctor be summoned to clarify his request. However, Justice Bulamainaivalu rejected this suggestion, emphasizing that summoning individuals unnecessarily was impractical as they were busy professionals. He reiterated that it was the defense’s responsibility to facilitate communication regarding the doctor’s needs.
The court has allowed Ms. Singh 14 days to address the request, while Mr. Cilicewa also awaits documents related to the crime scene and post-mortem report, which state attorney Zenith Zunaid has been instructed to provide within the same timeframe. Mr. Zunaid asserted that sufficient evidence was already available to support the murder charge, with allegations pointing to choking and strangulation as the cause of death.
Mr. Cilicewa remains in custody until his next court appearance scheduled for December 3.
This case highlights the importance of maintaining efficiency and respect for individuals’ time in the judicial process. Justice Bulamainaivalu’s proactive stance may pave the way for more streamlined court proceedings, potentially reducing unnecessary delays and improving the overall legal experience for all parties involved.
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