The Suva High Court has ordered for an inquiring into the reasons why Police officers allegedly shaved the head of a remand prisoner who was taken into custody yesterday.

The case against Abdul Sattar, who is charged with aggravated assault, was called before High Court Judge Justice Sitabarampillai Thurairaja who was informed by Defence counsel Avinesh Reddy that his client's head was shaven without consent while being held in remand last night.

Reddy made a formal application for an inquiry to be conducted into the matter and Justice Thurairaja than ordered that the matter be investigated and the inquiry report be handed to the DPP's Office and to him by September 8th.

Justice Thurairaja also raised concerns with the state prosecutor on allegations that Sattar had threatened a state witness in the case in March and the office of the DPP was only informed of the incident last Friday.

The state prosecutor said they were not aware because the matter was previously handled by Police Prosecutors.

However, Judge Thurairaja stated that this signals disorder in the states camp and it does not matter whether it's the police or DPP handling the case, it is a state prosecution.

The court was also told that Sattar was taken into custody and charged for allegedly breaching his bail condition on interfering with a witness and he was later granted bail by the Magistrates court.

Today, the state prosecutors brought the issue up in the High Court to revoke the bail, however, Justice Thurairaja told the prosecutor that they seem to be taking the high court for a ride.

Sattar has been granted bail again by the High Court pending the outcome of the investigation into his alleged interference with a witness and the inquiring into his head being shaven without his consent.


Story by: Roneel Lal