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.
Lawyer Devanesh Sharma is representing Bansod, while the prosecution is led by Arieta Vaganalau. Magistrate Prasad has requested clarification on several issues and has instructed both parties to concentrate on the conflict of interest as the main point.
Sharma argued that a fair bid was submitted and that any perceived conflict of interest was not genuine. He emphasized that Bansod had no involvement in the selection of the tender recipient. Vaganalau, however, asserted that there was a conflict of interest, noting that Bansod did not disclose his familiarity with the bidders.
Magistrate Prasad stated he would not rush the sentencing process. He has directed both parties to prepare and present their submissions within the next seven days before the court reaches a verdict.
Bansod is accused of making false declarations about confidentiality and conflict of interest regarding the tender for the design, development, and implementation of the Post Fiji Mobile Application in 2022.