Two women and three men charged with 2 counts of rape, abduction, act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and theft have been granted bail by the Suva High Court this morning.
The DPP counsel strongly objected to bail stressing the seriousness of the offence and also revealed that 2 of the accused persons are relatives of the victim and all 5 are living in the same area and they could interfere with the victim and state witnesses.
However, defense counsel Hamendra Nagin told Judge Justice Daniel Goundar that the 5 have assured him that they will not take such a risk and will abide by the conditions set out by the court.
After considering the submissions, Judge Goundar granted bail and ordered that all 5 are to be released on $500 cash bail and $500 cash bond.
The 5 are to reside at a fixed address and to hand in their passports.
They are also to appear at their nearest police station every Saturday.
Judge Goundar then warned the 5 that they are not to go anywhere near the victim or the state witnesses.
He told them that if they see the victim walking down the road, they are to cross the road and not expect the victim to do so.
He also stated that they are not to send any mobile text messages or attempt to contact the victim in anyway.
Judge Goundar adjourned the case to October 1st before Judge Justice Salesi Temo when a plea is expected to be taken.
It is alleged that on August 20th this year, the three men and two women abducted the 23-year-old woman from Queen Elizabeth Drive.
It is alleged that the offence was committed in the van while on their way to Nausori and they later dumped the woman in Raralevu Nausori.
It is alleged that the abduction was preplanned and resulted from a family dispute.
Story by: Roneel Lal
