The High Court in Labasa has handed down a life sentence to 44-year-old Sanjeshwar Chand for the attempted murder of his mistress during a brutal knife attack in 2022. Justice Lee Burney delivered the ruling on July 29, 2025, following a three-day trial in April that concluded with Chand being found guilty.
The incident occurred when Chand attacked his mistress with a cane knife, slashing her neck multiple times while she was cleaning herself. Remarkably, the victim survived the attack by shielding her neck with her hands and pretending to be dead, a strategy that ultimately saved her life. After checking her condition, Chand fled the scene.
In his sentencing remarks, Justice Burney emphasized the premeditated nature and cruelty of Chand’s actions. “You persisted in your merciless attack until you believed you had killed her,” the judge noted. The court also considered the victim’s impact statement, which revealed ongoing physical and emotional suffering, including inability to work, daily nightmares, and social withdrawal.
Chand’s lack of prior convictions and his role as the family’s primary breadwinner did not mitigate the judge’s decision. The sentence included a minimum non-parole period of 18 years, reflecting the court’s commitment to addressing domestic violence. The judge stressed the necessity for the sentence to convey the community’s condemnation of such acts.
Chand retains the option to appeal within 30 days.
This case is a part of the broader judicial response to domestic violence, reminding society of the crucial need for empathy and support for victims while reinforcing that acts of violence will lead to severe consequences. The continued focus on holding offenders accountable aims to foster a climate where victims can confidently seek help and protection, ultimately contributing to societal change regarding domestic abuse.
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