FICAC lawyer Laisa Lagilevu today accused former Nasinu Town Mayor Rajeshwar Kumar of lying and trying to cover up for former Town Clerk Jaswant Kumar, who is charged with abuse of office and embezzlement for allegedly cashing a cheque worth $2,344.44 in March 2006.

During cross examination Defense Counsel Rajendra Chaudhry asked Rajeshwar Kumar to explain the procedures followed by the Council in writing up cheques.

Kumar replied that since he came into office, the council had a policy where non-negotiable cheques were to be issued, as prior to that, the council had problems with cash cheques as it was not trusted by many.

Kumar then said that the cheque in question was written as a cash cheque, as it was to be made for the purchase of stationery from Post Fiji, which needed to be used immediately.

Chaudhry asked if the cheque that was brought to his house to be signed had the necessary invoices and payment vouchers, to which Kumar replied yes they did, adding there were several other cheques brought to his house for signing also.

However, FICAC lawyer Laisa Lagilevu then asked Kumar, that if it was not normal procedure to write cash cheques, then why was the cheque in question written out as a cash cheque.

Kumar replied that Jaswant had called him to say that it was an urgent matter and the stationery needed to be purchased for immediate use.

Lagilevu asked that if the cheque was so urgent, then why didn't the person bringing the cheque, rush it over in the morning to be signed, to which Rajeshwar Kumar replied that the Council had a strict policy not to hire taxis and wait for the next available council transport.

Lagilevu also asked Kumar if he went through the invoices and payment vouchers brought to his house for signing and asked if he could confirm that they were written by Jaswant Kumar.

Rajeshwar Kumar said he would not be able to recognize Jaswant Kumar's writing as he does not know what he's handwriting is like and only recognized his signature.

Lagilevu questioned Kumar if he had ever received payment vouchers and invoices prepared by Jaswant Kumar.

Rajeshwar Kumar maintained that he did not and would not recognize Jaswant's handwriting as previous contact was either verbally, or via email and that is why he does not know what Jaswan't Kumars handwriting would look like.

Kumar said in court that as Mayor and being responsible for counter signing the cheque, he trusted the Town Clerk who is the main authority in the council and if he had signed it, then he never questioned it, as he could not be responsible for overseeing every detail of preparing the documents.

Lagilevu then accused Rajeshwar Kumar for lying and trying to cover up for Jaswant Kumar, as it seemed impossible that every time he was given a cheque to sign, he did not take heed of the payment vouchers and who had prepared them.

The case will be called again at 2.30 this afternoon, where both Counsels will do a sum up of the case.