The High Court in Suva has adjourned the hearing of an application to strike out an amended civil claim by Veronica Malani and two family members after the plaintiffs served an affidavit in opposition to the application.
The matter was called before Justice Usaia Ratuvili today, with the both the plaintiff and defendants ready to proceed with the hearing.
However, lawyer Sevuloni Valenitabua, representing the plaintiffs, informed the court that an affidavit in opposition to the strike-out application had only recently been served.
In the interest of fairness and justice, Justice Ratuvili gave the defendants 21 days to consider and respond to the affidavit.
The judge said he wanted all parties to be “on the same page” before the hearing proceeded.
The strike-out application has been filed by the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney-General, former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Opposition Leader and former defence minister Inia Seruiratu, and several current and former senior police officers.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is represented by lawyer Gul Fatima, Mr Seruiratu is represented by a private lawyer, while the other defendants are represented by lawyer Yovin Naidu from the Attorney-General’s Office.
Ms Malani and the two other plaintiffs are seeking more than $800 million in damages over allegations arising from the handling of a police complaint relating to an alleged bombing incident in 1987.
The matter has been adjourned to November 25 for further directions.
