THE alleged theft of religious statues from Hindu temples was motivated by the accused’s wife eloping with a Hindu man, a police prosecutor told the Nadi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Police prosecutor ASP Parmesh Chand said the accused, Afroz Ali, admitted that the main reason he had committed the offences was because his wife had eloped with a Hindu man.
Mr Ali appeared before magistrate Semi Babitu on three counts of criminal trespass, three counts of theft, and one count of breach of a suspended sentence.
ASP Chand objected to bail, stating that Mr Ali has similar previous convictions and 13 active cases pending mitigation in Nadi.
Mr Babitu adjourned the case to September 18 to allow Mr Ali to pursue legal advise from the Legal Aid Commission.