Fiji’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has jointly charged a market vendor and a public servant with corruption related offences.
Atish Ashneel Chand and Simione Verenakadavu have each been charged with one (1) count of Bribery under the Prevention of Bribery Act 2007.
On the first count, it is alleged that on or about 28 January 2021 in the Eastern Division, Chand whilst being a market vendor, offered an advantage of FJD$50.00 to Verenakadavu, as an inducement to or reward or otherwise on account of performing any act in his capacity as a Business Licensing Officer at
the Nausori Town Council.
In relation to the second count of Bribery, it is alleged that on or about 28 January 2021 in the Eastern Division, Verenakadavu whilst being employed as the Business Licensing Officer at the Nausori Town Council, accepted an advantage of FJD$50.00 from Chand, as an inducement to or reward for or otherwise on
account of performing any act in his capacity as a public servant.
FICAC Senior State Counsel Sanjana Datt informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Resident Magistrate Sherlyn Kiran has granted non cash bail of $1000 each for the accused and they were ordered not to re-offend whilst on bail. Chand and Verenakadavu were also ordered to surrender all travel documents, not to apply for any travel documents and to attend Court on all given dates.
Chand is further ordered to report to the Nakasi Police Station on the last Friday of every month while Verenakadavu is ordered to report to the Nabua Police Station on the last Friday of every month.
Chand and Verenakadavu have been ordered to reside at the fixed residential addresses provided to Court and not to change address without prior approval from
Court. A stop departure order has also been issued against them.
The matter has been adjourned to 26 January 2022.
