Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry's Lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry has sought more time from the court to file supplementary affidavit in support of his application for recusal of the presiding Judge Justice Daniel Gounder.

The case was called yesterday for hearing on the application filed by Rajendra Chaudhry for a recusal of the presiding judge Justice Daniel Gounder and in his place for there to be a non resident judge presiding over all matters pertaining to the case.

Mahendra Chaudhry is charged with offences against the Exchange Control Act of Fiji, the Penal Code Cap 17 and the Proceeds of Crime Act.

However the case did not proceed yesterday as Rajendra Chaudhry who is representing his father sought the leave of the court to file a supplementary affidavit in support of his application for recusal.

Rajendra Chaudhry's application was subsequently granted and the matter with respect to the recusal of Justice Goundar has now been set for hearing on the 20th of September 2010.

Chaudhry is charged with 12 counts of alleged money laundering, tax evasion and not declaring foreign currency.

It is alleged that Chaudhry between 1st November 2000 to 23rd July this year failed to follow procedures when investing in certain institutions overseas, also not declaring that he had Australian currency with him and also allegedly giving false statements in his tax return forms.

The amount alleged in the case is $1.5 million Australian.


Story by: Shalvin Deo