Trial of Subramani Goundar now underway in Suva High Court

The trial of Subramani Goundar who is charged with a count each of manslaughter, failure to supply breath analysis to an officer and failure to comply with requirements following an accident, is now underway in the Suva High Court.

It is alleged that Goundar drove a taxi in such a manner that caused the death of 35-year-old Sairusi Vunakece in Vuci Road, Nausori in 2016.

Prosecution called its first witness who was the interviewing officer, Acting Corporal Isikeli Rokovunicagi.

While reading the caution interview, Rokovunicagi stated that Goundar on the day of the interview said that he didn't see the pedestrian on the road.

It was also revealed that the headlights of Goundar's car were switched off when he was driving.

During cross examination defence counsel Tirath Sharma asked the officer if he had asked Goundar whether he was physically fit to answer questions to which Rokovunicagi said no.

Sharma further questioned if it would be possible that Goundar may have told him some things which he did not write in the caution interview statement to which he said he cannot remember.

Sharma said that the medical report states the cause of death as blunt force trauma and not the impact of a vehicle which was stated by Rokovunicagi during the caution interview. The trial continues.