A FATHER and son remanded over a fatal confrontation on a coastal road in Sigatoka will remain behind bars after the High Court in Lautoka refused their applications for bail on Tuesday.
Ratu Kinijoji Ranovo Ratuva and his father, Ratu Vula Maimuri Ratuva, appeared before Justice Riyaz Hamza jointly charged with one count of murder and one count of assault.
Ratu Kinijoji faces an additional count of assault.
The charges stem from an incident on August 2 along the stretch between Kulukulu and Naqere.
It is alleged that the accused confronted Vimal Nand, his son Sachida Nand, and a student while the trio were travelling on horseback.
Vimal Nand sustained severe head injuries during the altercation and subsequently died at the Lautoka Hospital.
In delivering his ruling on Ratu Kinijoji’s bail application, Justice Hamza pointed to affidavits filed by the deceased’s son and a key witness, detailing threatening text messages received after the incident.
While the source of those messages required further verification, Justice Hamza said the evidence presented established a substantial risk that the accused would interfere with prosecution witnesses if released.
Justice Hamza said he was not in a position to grant bail and formally refused Ratu Kinijoji’s application at this stage of the proceedings.
The court heard that Ratu Vula’s bail application was also refused on the same grounds.
Justice Hamza remanded both men in custody and adjourned the matter to October 19, when the substantive matter will proceed.
Ratu Vula Maimuri Ratuva after his appearance at the High Court in Lautoka on Tuesday. Picture: SALOTE QALUBAU
