Seta Ram granted bail and to take plea on 7th of next month

Seta Ram who is charged alongside her sister for offences relating to human trafficking, obtaining financial advantage and money laundering will take her plea on the 7th of next month.

Ram is on bail since November last year and a warrant is in place for her sister Geeta Anjana Chandar in relation to the charges.

Seta Sanjana Ram and her sister Geeta Anjana Chandar are charged with a total of 35 counts which includes 17 counts of trafficking in persons, 16 counts of obtaining property by deception.

The two were alleged to have facilitated the travel of 17 Fijian citizens who were exploited and became victims of human trafficking in New Zealand between April and September 2014 and obtained a total of $52,142 from the 17 complainants by deception.

For the money laundering charges, it is alleged that Geeta Anjana Chandar between September 2017 and March 2017 disposed of $79,991.40 into a Bank of the South Pacific account and between February and May 2014 Seta Sanjana Ram allegedly disposed of $2,525 into two Australia and New Zealand bank accounts that were the proceeds of crime.

Their accomplice, Faroz Ali, is now serving a 9 year sentence of imprisonment in New Zealand.

It was highlighted in court today by State Prosecutor, Swastika Sharma that they wished to proceed with the trial in the absence of the the second accused, Geeta Anjana Chandar.

It was then put to the state prosecutor by High Court Judge Justice that the second accused may not be aware of her charges.

Sharma then told the court that she will be speaking to her seniors and will advice the court on this.

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