Ajay Kumar walked out of the High Court in Lautoka yesterday a free man after the State filed a nolle prosequi during proceedings.
The Legal Dictionary defines a nolle prosequi as a declaration made to the judge by a prosecutor in a criminal case either before or during trial, meaning the case against the defendant is being dropped.
“The statement is an admission that the charges cannot be proved, that evidence has demonstrated either innocence or a fatal flaw in the prosecution’s claim or the district attorney has become convinced the accused is innocent,” the Legal Dictionary states.
Mr Kumar was initially charged with the murder of his de facto partner, Saleshni Devi.
It was alleged that Mr Kumar caused Devi’s death after her body was discovered at the bottom of a cliff in Teidamu, Lautoka on September 15, 2021.
Mr Kumar appeared before Justice Riyaz Hamza, represented by Jitendra Reddy, while Laisiasa Baleilevuka appeared for the State.
The court heard the matter was initially fixed for trial from June 4 to 25.
“Today the State has decided to file a nolle prosequi. You are a free man,” Justice Hamza told Mr Kumar.
His lawyer requested the court to grant an order for the stop departure initially placed on Mr Kumar to be lifted in the event that he wished to travel abroad and for the Immigration Department be notified once this was done.
Justice Hamza granted the order, dismissed the charge against Mr Kumar and revoked all his bail conditions.
(Standing Centre) Ajay Kumar with his family members and lawyer Jitendra Reddy outside the High Court in Lautoka on June 4,2025 after the state filed a nolle prosequi to dismiss his murder charge. Picture: SALOTE QALUBAU.
Mr Kumar and his lawyer Jitendra Reddy outside court yesterday.
