A 68 year old Australian citizen charged with indecent assault for allegedly sexually molesting a 4 year old girl in Labasa appeared in Court this morning.
Ram Bali appeared before Magistrate Ropate Dabealala and his lawyers Amrit Sen and Ami Kohli made a bail application on the grounds that if something happens to the accused regarding safety, the police will be blamed, an assurity will be provided, he will be reporting to the police station and will surrender all his travel documents.
However, Prosecutor Dharmendra Kumar objected to the bail on the grounds that the accused is a foreigner and he is to return to Australia on 14th September, the offence is serious, the victim was of a tender age and he may interfere with the witnesses.
Ram Bali was granted $1000 bail with assurity, he has been ordered to surrender all his travel documents and ordered to stay away from the witnesses and not to interfere with them.
He is also told to report to Labasa Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 6am to 6pm.
His plea has been deferred.
The case has been adjourned to 25th of this month.
Bali was visiting the country when he allegedly committed the offence earlier last week and he was arrested at the Waiqele Airport when he was allegedly trying to flee the country.
