High Court issues restraining order against Vayeshnoi

The Lautoka High Court today issued a restraining order against  former Parliamentarian of Sigatoka, Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi stopping him from selling, transferring or removing any of his properties or withdrawing money from his bank accounts.

Judge Justice Sosefo Inoke issued the order after the Director of Bhavani Jewellers Limited in Sigatoka, Kishore Raniga's lawyer Sushil Sharma filed an affidavit alleging that Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi took $50,000 worth of jewellery from his client's shop however failed to pay for it.

In his affidavit Raniga has alleged that Vayeshnoi had given him a cheque of $50,000 in December last year however asked him to withhold it for two months as he will pay the company like he had done many times previously.

Raniga alleges that Vayeshnoi picked the jewellery on May 2nd this year and when he did not pay him, he took the cheque to a bank on 18th May however was told that Vayeshnoi's account was already closed and the cheque was dishonored.

Raniga reported the matter to Sigatoka police earlier this month and decided to seek legal action after he found out from a friend that Vayeshnoi had allegedly flown to New Zealand, is trying to obtain a permanent residency and is allegedly currently negotiating to transfer his personal properties, his car, money in other banks and savings from FNPF.

The matter has been adjourned to the 17th of next month for mention.

Story by: Sneh Chaudhry