An 18-year-old man charged with the murder of 20-year-old Sharuf Shaakir Khan could not be produced in the High Court in Suva on Friday, with both defence and prosecution unaware of his whereabouts.
Rihaal Kumar, accused of killing Khan at an apartment complex on Waimanu Road on July 7, 2025, was understood to be in remand, absent when his case was called before Justice Daniel Goundar.
Mr Kumar’s lawyer, Mark Anthony, told the court that a psychiatric report from St Giles Hospital remained outstanding because medical staff had been unable to access him.
Anthony read a letter from St Giles confirming that the report could not be prepared due to lack of access. The defence last met Mr Kumar at a previous court date.
The court was also informed that Mr Kumar’s parents visited the remand facility on Thursday, January 15, but were advised to return on Tuesday, January 20, as his location could not be determined.
