THE High Court has raised serious concerns in the way police are handling the case of the alleged murder of Police Constable Peniasi Racagi.
Justice Daniel Goundar adjourned the case to May 22 after the prosecution failed to provide the post-mortem report, DNA analysis results, and the video-recorded interviews of Keni Salawai, 42, and Jope Seniloli, 20, who are accused of causing his death.
State prosecutor Shahil Kumar informed the court that police were yet to submit several documents.
He also told the court the State was awaiting DNA results of the accused persons, from New Zealand.
Justice Goundar said these missing important documents raised a lot of questions, given the seriousness of the matter.
He asked why a police case, involving one of their own, was facing delays, especially given two men were facing murder charges.
He also asked how police charged the two men without the post-mortem result. During the last hearing, the State had sought additional time to obtain the same documents.
Justice Goundar granted the State a final 14 days to file information and disclosures.
Meanwhile Mr Salawai’s lawyer, Tobia Ravuniwa informed the court of his intention to conduct further investigations.
However, Justice Goundar told chim that at this stage of the proceedings, only police could carry out investigations and not the parties involved.
It is alleged that between February 21-22, the accused along with a yet to be identified third individual, aided and abetted in the infliction of injuries upon Constable Racagi, resulting in his death.
Constable Racagi’s body was discovered on the beach behind the Lami Oceania Wesley Church during the early hours of February 22.
Bail has been extended for the two accused.
