Three former executives of a major supermarket chain released on bail

Three former executives of a major supermarket chain appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court today.

Abhisaeth Abhimaanu, Kavishay Abhimaanu and Amrita Anand have been charged for their alleged involvement in deceptively obtaining more than $200,000 between 2011 and 2016 whilst employed at the Supermarket’s headquarters in Nasinu.

Abhisaeth Abhimaanu is the company's former Chief Finance Officer, Kavishay Abhimaanu is the former CEO and Amrita Anand is the former Human Resources Payroll Clerk.

Abhisaeth Abhimaanu is charged with seven counts of money laundering, Kavishay Abhimaanu is charged with four counts of money laundering while Amrita Anand is charged with 79 counts of money laundering.

It is alleged that three paid additional salaries to themselves which was picked up during an internal audit conducted by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in 2017 and  the matter was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department's Anti‑Money Laundering Unit.

Abhisaeth Abhimaanu is alleged to have received more than $99,000, Kavishay Abhimaanu is alleged to have received $75,000 while Amrita Anand is alleged to have received more than $46,000.

Police Prosecutor, Pritika Prasad made an application for the matter to be transferred to the High Court as the maximum fine upon conviction can be up to $120,000 and maximum jail term of 20 years.

The matter has been transferred to the Suva High Court which will be called on the 6th of next month.

The three have been released on cash bail.