Suncourt Hardware Director, Dhansukh Lal Bhika and former Principal Accounts Officer at the Agriculture Ministry, Suliasi Sorovakatini have been remanded in custody this hour after the judge concurred with the assessors and found the two men guilty of three counts of official corruption.
Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja passed his verdict in the last hour.
He also found the two men not guilty for one count of official corruption and acquitted them for that count.
The case has been adjourned to 10am tomorrow for submissions from the counsels on sentencing and mitigation before the judge rules on the sentencing.
The maximum sentence for official corruption is seven years imprisonment.
The five assessors unanimously found Bhika and Sorovakatini guilty of three counts of official corruption earlier this afternoon.
The assessors found the two not guilty for one count of official corruption.
The charges relate to Dhansukh Lal Bhika and others corruptly giving benefits to Suliasi Sorovakatini, on account of acts done by him in the discharge of his duties of his office in 2000 and 2001 when the Farming Assistance Scheme was in place.
Sorovakatini's charges relate to him corruptly receiving benefits in the discharge of the duties of his office.
Bhika and Sorovakatini each faced four counts of official corruption.
The assessors deliberated on their verdict for almost four hours.
Earlier today in the summing up of the case, Justice Thurairaja told the assessors that they must be satisfied and sure of the case because they are the judges of facts in the trial.
The judge told them that their decision must be based exclusively on the evidence presented in the trial.
He also told the assessors that they need to deliberate on two issues - corruptly given and corruptly received.
He also pointed out Suliasi Sorovakatini travelling with Manoj Bhika to Australia and staying at Manoj Bhika's relative's residence.
Justice Thurairaja said they have to decide on Sorovakatini staying with Bhika's relatives.
He said the decision has to be made on whether that is a mere friendship.
The Judge also said that the state said that Sorovakatini was given 10 thousand dollars worth of travellers cheques on the cheque number 430365, signed by Dhansukh Lal Bhika and Manoj Bhika.
This was Sorovakatini's travelling expenses to Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne.
Justice Thurairaja said the assessors have to decide on the signatures of Bhika on whether he knew what he was doing or he just signed the cheques
The Judge is now delivering his verdict.
Stay with us for that later this afternoon.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Tokasa Rainima
Earlier story:
The five assessors in the Dhansukh Lal Bhika and Suliasi Sorovakatini trial have retired behind closed doors to deliberate on their verdict after High Court Judge, Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja summed up the case earlier today.
The assessors are expected to come back with the verdict later this afternoon.
Before retiring to deliberate on their verdict, Justice Thurairaja told the assessors that they must be satisfied and sure of the case today because they are the judges of facts in the trial.
The judge told them that their decision must be based exclusively on the evidence presented in the trial.
He also told the assessors that they need to deliberate on two issues - corruptly given and corruptly received.
Justice Thurairaja also pointed out accused, Suliasi Sorovakatini travelling with Manoj Bhika to Australia and staying at Manoj Bhika's relative's residence.
He told the assessors that the police statements, the state and the defence have different views, and the assessors have to decide on the facts in the case.
He said they have to decide on Sorovakatini staying with Bhika's relatives.
He said the decision has to be made on whether that is a mere friendship.
The Judge said the state also claims that Sorovakatini was given 10 thousand dollars worth of travellers cheques on the cheque number 430365, signed by Dhansukh Lal Bhika and Manoj Bhika.
This was Sorovakatini's travelling expenses to Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne.
Another ticket was given to Lodhias Travel.
Justice Thurairaja said the assessors have to decide on the signatures of Bhika on whether he knew what he was doing or he just signed the cheques
He said Sorovakatini admitted he went to Australia with Manoj bhika and earlier highlighted when he was questioned during the trial that he had all dealings with Manoj Bhika, not Dhansukh Lal Bhika.
The Judge also advised the assessors that they should consider each and every count separately.
Bhika and Sorovakatini each face four counts of official corruption.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Tokasa Rainima
