Former Magistrate Sunil Kumar charged with seven counts of allegedly attempting to prevent the course of justice by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

It is alleged that on 11th May last year whilst presiding as resident magistrate at the Nausori magistrates court, Kumar ordered a special constable who was giving evidence on oath on traffic formal proof cases to stop booking offending drivers or he would be cursed by them thereby attempting to prevent the course of Justice by discouraging such officer from carrying out the official police duties. He also ordered the same constable to stop booking traffic offenders who are illegally parking in Nausori Town.

Kumar also allegedly ordered woman constable to stop booking offending drivers and threatened her that her and her children would be cursed by the public, therefore attempting to prevent the course of Justice by discouraging such officer.

High Court Judge, Denial Goundar raised concern that Kumar and his lawyer Raman Pratap Singh failed to appear before court this morning despite being served with a summons.

Kumar told court that he was not aware that he was suppose to appear today and Kumar's lawyer Raman Singh explained that he got mixed up with another client whose name was also Sunil Kumar. Justice Goundar asked the defence council whether he can be assured that this will not be repeated in future.

Justice Danial Goundar ordered on FICAC's lawyer, Paul Madigan's request that further explanations will be seeked from accused lawyer.

The case has been adjourned till 29th January for mention and Kumar's bail conditions have been extended.