The High Court has ruled in favour of former lawyer Suresh Chandra, finding that his constitutional right to freedom of movement was breached when he was stopped from leaving the country at the Nadi International Airport in November 2024.
Mr Chandra had planned to travel with his wife for three medical appointments when border officials prevented him from boarding, citing a Stop Departure Order (SDO) issued in December 2021 that remained active in their system.
The case stems from a 2018 incident in which an employee at his firm, MC Lawyers, was found to have stolen approximately $2.13million from a trust account over several years.
In 2020, the Independent Legal Services Commission charged Mr Chandra with professional misconduct, including failure to properly supervise the account and safeguard client funds.
An SDO was imposed during the disciplinary process but was temporarily lifted later in 2021 to allow overseas medical travel.
In March 2023, Mr Chandra was found guilty on most charges, struck off the roll of legal practitioners, and fined $500,000 plus $2000 costs.
That decision was upheld on appeal, with the Supreme Court later reducing the fine to $100,000 and ordering $400,000 in compensation to the victims.
Before attempting to travel in November 2024, Mr Chandra sought confirmation that no restrictions remained and was advised the matter had concluded. However, he was still stopped at the airport, with officials unable to clarify the situation.
In a judgment delivered on April 10, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere ruled that both the Chief Registrar and the Permanent Secretary for Immigration had breached Mr Chandra’s rights. The court ordered damages and costs of $6671.70 to be paid within two months.
