The High Court in Suva is currently in the process of determining a trial date for a civil case involving former finance minister Professor Biman Prasad and Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhary. The case was discussed before Justice Anjala Wati yesterday, focusing on allegations of false and defamatory statements made by Mr. Chaudhary against Prof Prasad on social media since 2023.
Court documents reveal that Mr. Chaudhary had posted last year accusing Prof Prasad of misallocating $200,000 that was meant for the Girmit Conference to the Global Girmit Institute (GGI), which was reportedly discredited and deregistered at that time. The accusations suggested that GGI was seeking re-registration in February 2023, naming Prof Prasad’s wife, Rajni Kaushal Chand, along with Ganesh Chand and Hirdesh Sharma, as trustees. Mr. Chaudhary implied that Prof Prasad had authorized the release of government funds without adhering to proper procedures.
Prof Prasad, represented by Sherani & Co, argues that the allegations in Mr. Chaudhary’s post remain publicly accessible and have severely harmed his reputation. To support his claims, he is preparing to bring five witnesses to the trial, while Mr. Chaudhary plans to call seven witnesses in his defense. The court proceedings have been paused until April 9, at which point a trial date is anticipated to be set.
This case underscores the ongoing issues that arise from public statements made via social media platforms and their potential to affect the reputations of individuals. It highlights the critical need for responsible communication in today’s digital environment. Furthermore, as this legal battle unfolds, it is poised to delve into the nuances of defamation law and its ramifications for public figures, potentially setting precedents for similar cases in the future.