Kamlesh Arya with wife after being acquitted

Former Bhawani Dayal Memorial Primary School Manager Kamlesh Arya has been acquitted of one count of general dishonesty by the Suva High Court in the last hour.

The High court Judge overturned the opinion of the three assessors and found him not guilty of the charge.

Arya was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption in 2017 with one count each of abuse of office and general dishonesty, causing a loss.

He was acquitted of the first count of abuse of office earlier this month.

Kamlesh Arya [4th from left] after being acquitted

He was alleged to have dishonestly caused a risk of loss to Bhawani Dayal Memorial School by authorizing the Free Education and Grants as loans knowing the loss will occur or substantial risk of loss will occur to Bhawani Dayal Memorial School.

The alleged incident occurred in 2014 while Arya was employed in the public service as the Registrar of the University of Fiji.

The High court Judge said that the authorization was not done by Arya alone and it was a collective decision by the office bearers.

The Judge also said that the schools under the Arya Sabha had an inter-school loaning system which was in effect even before Arya became the school Manager.

The High court Judge also said that Arya had no dishonest intention of causing any loss.

The Judge also said that the money was paid back to the school within two years.

Meanwhile, it was an emotional moment for Arya and his family who could not hold their emotions in court when the High court Judge gave the verdict.