A man in his 50s, who is a father of two, has been accused of raping his 33-year-old niece during a drinking session. He recently appeared before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe in Suva and has been granted a non-cash bail bond set at $500.
The alleged incident took place in June of this year while the complainant and the accused were consuming alcohol in the man’s apartment located in Tacirua. State lawyer Katarina Dugan did not oppose the bail after performing the necessary surety checks. The defense attorney, Shahlaa Begum, reported that her client plans to reside in Nadi.
The court has instructed Ms. Dugan to provide a Domestic Violence Restraining Order to both parties by November 28. The prosecution is expected to present three witnesses in the case, including the complainant and the investigating officer. In contrast, Ms. Begum will only call the accused as a witness. A hearing has been scheduled for April 11 next year.
It is essential in such cases to ensure all parties receive fair treatment and that the judicial process allows for a thorough examination of the facts. The involvement of restraining orders indicates a progression towards addressing safety concerns for the parties involved, which is a positive step.
Summary: A father of two has been accused of raping his niece during a drinking session. He has been granted bail, and a court hearing is scheduled for April next year. Steps are being taken to ensure the safety of both parties involved.
Leave a comment