Lawyer representing former Magistrate Sunil Kumar has alleged that police are withholding the traffic infringement notices which were presented in court before his client.

As Kumar's case resumed before High Court Judge Justice Priyantha Nawana this morning, lawyer Ami Kholi raised serious concerns when FICAC informed them that FICAC now has been able to locate the traffic infringement notices which were called before his client on June 7th 2007 when they had earlier said that only a court registry was the only evidence they had.

Kholi then proceeded to cross examined FICAC witness Inspector Ashika Mala.

He highlighted that on the day in question, Mala had 60 traffic cases where 39 were convicted and 21 cases were unaccounted for.

Kholi alleged that police are deliberately withholding the information.

The witness could not recall what happened to these 21 cases and Kholi alleged that she was promoted to the post of Inspector to lie to the court.

Kholi also highlighted that Kumar kept questioning Mala on the details of the bookings which she could not remember and according to Kholi it is then when his client made some remarks so that she would improve her performance.

Kholi said his client was concerned that so many bookings were being done but the police officers did not have details which lead to drivers being discharged and he told Mala to know the facts and do right bookings.

Kholi said his client as a Magistrate at the time was asking a lot of questions to the officers which they were not used to.

However, Mala maintained that Kumar did not want any police officer to book any driver for any traffic offence in the Nausori area.

Kholi called the witness a liar and pointed out inconsistencies with her police statement and her evidence being given in court.

Mala has alleged that on June 7th, 2007 Kumar had made several remarks about her and her children being crippled like former Police Commissioner Jimi Koroi and had told her to stop booking offending drivers, accusing her of killing them as they (Police) had nothing to do.

Kumar is charged by FICAC with five counts of allegedly preventing police to carry out their duties and therefore prevent the course of Justice.

It is alleged that Kumar between May and October of 2007, on several occasions ordered police officers to stop booking traffic offenders.


Story by: Roneel Lal