Former Nausori Magistrate Sunil Kumar appeared before high court judge, Justice Don-Priyantha Nawana charged with five counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

As the trial started today in Suva, the charges were read to Kumar where he pleaded not guilty to all the five counts.

On the first count the court heard that on the 11th May, 2007 at Nausori court while Kumar was the presiding magistrate, he told Police constable Devendra Singh who was in court for a traffic case to stop booking drivers or he will be like the former Police Commissioner Jimi Koroi.

On the second count, on the 7th June, 2007 while Kumar was in Nausori he told Constable Ashika Mala in court to stop booking traffic cases or her children will be crippled.

On the third count, on the 11th June, 2007 at Nausori court, Kumar asked Sergeant Timoci Seraumai why he was booking too many drivers in Nausori as it was a small town.

On the 4th and 5th counts, it is alleged that on the 13th August and on the 18th September, 2007 as Resident Magistrate in Nausori he told Constable Ashika Mala to stop booking drivers.

Story by: Tokasa Rainima.