Afrana Nisha, a former secretary of the Independent Legal Services Commission (ILSC), has been sentenced to five years in prison for multiple corruption-related offenses, with a non-parole period set at four years. The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne in court today.
Nisha was found guilty on seven counts of Falsification of Documents and two counts of Obtaining a Financial Advantage, while she was acquitted of one charge related to obtaining financial gain. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that between July 2012 and November 2014, Nisha engaged in fraudulent activities by forging the signatures of former Solicitor-General Sharvada Sharma and lawyer Ana Tuiketei to create falsified cheques.
One notable instance involved Nisha faking a cheque amounting to $3,450, naming Ms. Tuiketei as the payee. She allegedly instructed an ILSC receptionist, Vandana Raj, to cash the cheque and return the funds to her, showcasing a clear intent to exploit her position for financial gain.
Prosecution in this case was represented by Joshua Francis Prasad, while Nisha was defended by Ruth Fa from Iqbal and Associates. The case underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and integrity within public institutions, reflecting a commitment to addressing corruption in various forms.