A Sigatoka couple accused of forcing an 18-year-old student to ingest a lethal chemical three years ago appeared before High Court judge Justice Riyaz Hamza in Lautoka today.
Mohammed Naushad and Nazreen Nisha each face one count of murder stemming from an alleged incident at a house in Maro on June 30, 2022. Mr Naushad faces an additional charge of criminal intimidation.
State witness Rajeev Chand, a close friend of the deceased Jeet Singh took the stand today.
Questioned by state lawyer Sheenal Swastika, Mr Chand testified that the couple’s daughter called him crying on the day of the incident while hiding in a field.
He told the court he heard a young boy screaming in the background during the windy phone call from the couple’s daughter.
She later called a second time and said “They have found the body, he is dead now, they have taken my Jeet away”.
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Samuela Heritage, Mr Chand confirmed the daughter had disclosed that the couple tried to force the victim to drink poison.
He further confirmed the deceased and the daughter exchanged letters in an RSL van because they were restricted from seeing each other.
The couple are jointly represented by Samuela Heritage and Iqbal Khan, while Sheenal Swastika and Winny Yee appeared for the state.
Two responding officers from Sigatoka Police Station will give evidence when the trial resumes on Monday at 10.30am.
