Court

Summons sent to Australia for woman facing trafficking charges

July 11, 2019 7:51 am

The State has been ordered to seek advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the summons sent to a Fijian national.

Geeta Anjana Chandar residing in Australia and her sister Seta Sanjana Ram in Fiji are charged with 35 counts including 17 counts of trafficking persons, 16 counts of obtaining property by deception and two counts of money laundering.

The two allegedly facilitated the travel of 17 Fijians who were exploited and became victims of human trafficking in New Zealand between April and September 2014.

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It is alleged the two sisters obtained more than $52,142 from the 17 complainants by deception.

For the money laundering charges, it is alleged that Geeta Chandar between September and March 2014 disposed over $79,991 into a bank account and between February and May 2014, Seta Ram allegedly disposed of $2,525 into another bank account that were the proceeds of crime.

The state yesterday informed the court that the Fiji Police has confirmed they have sent summons with information and disclosures to Australian Federal Police to serve it to Geeta Anjana Chandar.

High court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, however, questions whether in a criminal proceeding, the summons could be to an overseas jurisdiction and proper procedure needs to be followed.

The matter has been adjourned to 30th August.