The mother of the 22 year old woman who was allegedly raped and then murdered and whose body was later found floating along the Narere River, took the stand in the High Court today.

The victim's mother took to the stand as the second witness in the case where seven men are charged with rape and murder of her daughter on the night of June 8th, 2008.

She told the Suva High Court that her daughter was in a relationship with the first accused Anesh Ram for close to six months and was living with him and the sixth accused Vinesh Kumar as they were both brothers.

She informed the High Court that her daughter was always having arguments with Ram as his mother did not like her daughter.

She also revealed that she had referred the matter to Police a few times as her daughter was repeatedly allegedly assaulted by Ram.

When questioned by the Defence Counsel, the mother informed the Court that she had also gone to Police on the 16th of June in 2008 when she noticed that her daughter had been missing for close to two weeks.

Ram along with six others, namely Keshwa Nand, Vikash Chand, Sat Dewan Nair, Ilaitia Waqa, Binesh Kumar and Anil Singh have been charged with rape and murder.

The trial continues tomorrow in the Suva High Court.

Story by: Paradise Tabucala