An application by the lawyer for former Post Fiji CEO Dr Anirudha Bansod that a resolution be made by the court on the definition of the term “civil service” continues today.
Mr Bansod was charged by FICAC with one count of abuse of office and one of general dishonesty causing a loss. The case was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad yesterday.
Mr Bansod is alleged to have provided a false confidentiality and conflict of interest declaration for the tender of the design, development and implementation of a Post Fiji mobile app, and allegedly breached the confidentiality of the tender procedure.
It’s also alleged that between August 1, 2022, and December 31 of the same year, he caused a loss to Post Fiji by dishonestly authorising the reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by him from Dubai to Nagpur in India.
His lawyer Devanesh Sharma told the court the charge of abuse of office could only be laid on someone in the civil service.
Mr Sharma informed the court that an amendment to the Civil Service Act in 2016 changed that provision.
Bail has been extended for Mr Bansod and the case is adjourned to May 16.
