Kamlesh Arya

A former school manager was acquitted of one corruption-related charge but told to answer for the second charge.

This was settled in a Ruling delivered in the Suva High Court today.

Former Bhawani Dayal Memorial Primary School Manager Kamlesh 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.

Regarding the first charge, the Judge acquitted the Accused, stating that Prosecution had failed to provide any relevant or admissible evidence to establish the essential ingredient of the offence of Abuse of Office.

This was whether or not Arya, as the School Manager was employed in the Public Service and so there was no case to answer.

With regards to the second charge, the court ruled that there was some relevant and admissible evidence which touched on all the ingredients of the offence of general dishonesty – causing a loss and that there was a case to answer.

The Defence counsel requested that the case resume tomorrow and informed the Court that they would be calling two witnesses who would provide character statements and evidence on the documents provided by Prosecution.

The matter was adjourned to tomorrow for the continuation of the Defence case.