Pastor Ravinesh Chand

The defense lawyer for a 36-year-old pastor facing rape charge has raised concerns on the challenges faced by them while meeting their clients in the remand center.

Jitendra Reddy is representing Pastor Ravinesh Chand who is charged with three counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault.

Chand allegedly raped a 15-year-old student in Nausori on March 21st.

He is alleged to have committed the offenses on the student who is a member of his congregation in Luvuluvu.

Reddy informed the court that it takes time to get an appointment to meet clients in the remand center and get proper instructions.

He asked for time to go through the agreed facts.

Meanwhile, the High court will deliver Chand’s bail ruling later this month.

The state is objecting to the bail application saying that there is a strong likelihood that Chand may interfere with prosecution witnesses as the church has other branches as well.

However, the defense said that his client will be staying in Labasa and faraway from where the church is.

Reddy said that his client has lived all his life in Suva and doesn’t know any of the church members.

He also informed the court that his client has a sick child and sole breadwinner.

Reddy also said that his client is not a flight risk as he doesn’t have a passport.

The High court Judge will deliver his bail ruling on May 29th.