Lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry [Source: Facebook]

Lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry who made comments against the judiciary on social media has been found guilty of contempt of court.

Between September 3rd and 18th last year, Chaudhry had posted a range of scandalous, defamatory and derogatory comments against the Judiciary and its members on his Facebook page.

Justice Kamal Kumar said that judicial officers and administrators are known by their name and face in a small jurisdiction like Fiji and as such, their ability to carry out their duties and judicial function should not be tarnished by comments like those posted by Chaudhry on his Facebook page.

Justice Kumar also said that seventeen Facebook posts had Chief Justice’s picture while three posts had chief registrar’s picture.

The Judge also added that the courts should not hesitate to safeguard its integrity and dignity from such unscrupulous attacks whether made by residents or non-residents.
Chaudhry has been ordered to pay $10,000 as the cost to the Attorney General’s office who are the applicants in this matter.

The matter has been adjourned to 25th April for the sentence hearing.

Chaudhry currently resides in Auckland, New Zealand.