Mitigation has started in the Suva High Court for Suncourt Hardware Director Dhansukh Lal Bhika and former Principal Accounts Officer at the Agriculture Ministry Suliasi Sorovakatini who have been found guilty of three counts of official corruption.

When the case reconvened this morning, Presiding Judge Justice Sitambaram Pillai Thurairaja asked Sorokavatini and Bhika how they are this morning.

Sorovakatini replied that he was fine.

Bhika then stood up from the dock and told the judge that last night he was remanded at the Central Police Station, and it was in an inhumane manner.

He said he was locked up last night and at 8.45 this morning, the Police went to the cell and told him to pack up, have his shower because they have to go to court.

Following Bhika’s comments, the case continued with Sorovakatini’s lawyer Mehboob Raza making his submission and reading letters from two character witnesses.

In a letter read in court written by a Reverend Koroitamana from the All Nations Church, the reverend said that Sorovakatini is a pastor at the All Nations Church since 2002, and carried out his tasks and responsibilities with joy.

Koroitamana asked that Sorovakatini be given a suspended sentence.

The second letter was from the coordinator of the Nasinu Correctional Centre, Pastor Samuel Swamy.

Pastor Swamy said he found that Sorovakatini was a changed person when he was serving an earlier sentence.

Pastor Swamy then asked the court for a suspended sentence.

Following this, Justice Thurairaja asked Raza who this man is asking for a suspended sentence.

The judge stressed that the court will assess and decide on the sentence.

In his submission, Raza also called for a suspended sentence for each count of official corruption.

Bhika’s lawyer, Subhash Parshotam is now making the submission before the court.

The maximum sentence for a count of official corruption is 7 years imprisonment.


Story by: Vijay Narayan and Tokasa Rainima