A 35-year-old man, Anish Jattan, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for manslaughter, with a minimum of five years before he can be considered for parole. The ruling was made by Justice Daniel Goundar in the Suva High Court. Initially charged with murder, Jattan was ultimately convicted of a lesser charge of manslaughter.
The court heard that the incident occurred on December 11, 2022, at Uluitoa settlement in Wainibuku, when Jattan was drinking grog with others at the home of the victim, Ronal Kumar. Kumar returned home inebriated and reacted aggressively upon finding his de-facto partner entertaining guests. His behavior escalated into shouting and obscenities, prompting a relative to intervene.
In a fit of anger, Jattan confronted Kumar outside, leading to a violent altercation where he punched Kumar multiple times until the victim fell to the ground. Jattan then proceeded to stomp on Kumar’s head, resulting in severe injuries. Despite efforts from relatives, Kumar did not survive, dying shortly thereafter due to blunt force trauma.
Justice Goundar’s remarks during sentencing emphasized the need for accountability in cases of alcohol-related violence, reflecting a broader concern over similar incidents in Fiji. This case mirrors previous ones, such as the manslaughter conviction of police officer Fifita Toma Tawake, who also faced charges for a fatal assault while under the influence of alcohol.
The outcome of Jattan’s case highlights the essential discussions around public safety and responsible behavior during social gatherings. The hope is that such tragic events will foster increased community awareness and proactive measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, promoting a culture of safety and responsibility.
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