The Lautoka High Court today ordered a retrial of Dip Chand's rape case after he was handed a 20 year sentence for raping three girls in Rakiraki in 2005.

Chand who has also been charged with the murder of three Naria sisters appealed against his sentence saying it is too harsh.

Judge Justice Daniel Gounder today ordered for a retrial on the basis that Chand did not competently waive his right to legal representation and the Magistrate should have asked him whether he was pleading guilty voluntarily or whether he was pressured to do so.

Justice Gounder said the court proceedings have flaws and did not comply with the constitutional requirements for a fair trial.