Court of Appeal to deliver ruling next week on Chaudhry

The three panel of judges of the Fiji Court of Appeal are expected to deliver a ruling next week on former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry’s appeal relating to his sentence and conviction.

The judges will rule on notice on seven grounds of appeal before the end of nomination day on the 18th of this month.

Today defense counsel Anand Singh responded to the prosecution’s submissions made yesterday that the direction given by the presiding judge had a number of mistakes in the point of law.

He added the conviction should be set aside for his client Mahendra Chaudhry and he should be acquitted.

Presenting his submission yesterday, Singh said Chaudhry did not refuse that he had funds in Australia and the money was given as a gift and there was no contract made.

Singh said Chaudhry also wrote to the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji and asked for an extension of time, so he could seek legal advice.

He said it is not disputed that in this case the appellant was not an authorized dealer.

Chaudhry can appeal his conviction and sentence however during the appeal process, the conviction and sentence handed down by the High Court still stands.

Chaudhry was fined $2 million by Justice Madigan in May. He paid the fine on the 27th of June.

It is recorded that he is ineligible to contest the 2014 general elections.