Threatening text messages allegedly sent to a key witness were at the centre of a bail hearing involving a father and son charged over a fatal confrontation in Nadroga.
Ratu Kinijoji Ranovo Ratuva and his father, Ratu Vula Maimuri Ratuva, appeared before Justice Riyaz Hamza at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday.
The father and son are jointly charged with one count each of murder and assault, while Ratu Kinijoji faces an additional assault charge.
The charges relate to an August 2 incident between Kulukulu and Naqere in Nadroga, where the accused allegedly confronted Vimal Nand, his son Sachida Nand and another student while they were on horseback.
Vimal Nand suffered severe head injuries and later died at the Lautoka Hospital.
State counsel Joeli Nasa opposed bail, telling the court that Sachida Nand received threatening text messages on September 15 from an unknown phone number. The messages allegedly threatened to burn down his house and kill the student who witnessed the alleged assault.
Mr Nasa said the messages had caused fear and raised concerns about possible witness interference, particularly given the accused’s chiefly titles and influence.
Justice Hamza said the source of the messages needed to be verified.
Defence counsel Edwin Wainiqolo argued the messages were an attempt to implicate his clients and prevent their release on bail. He also noted misspelled iTaukei words as suggesting the sender may not have been iTaukei.
The court was told Sachida Nand had deleted his replies to the messages.
Justice Hamza adjourned the matter to October 13 for a ruling on the bail applications.
Ratu Vula Maimuri Ratuva at the High Court in Lautoka on October 2,2026.Picture: SALOTE QALUBAU.
