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Two Fiji men accused of murdering two Indian nationals whose bodies were found in a pit latrine in Ba last month, have denied the crime in a court appearance in Suva today.
Ravinesh Vikash Padiachi and Mohammed Nadim face two counts of murder and one count of larceny.
They appeared before Justice Priyantha Fernando in the High Court in Suva.
Both men pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ramakrishnan and Rajamanickam on December 14, 2009 and stealing items such as laptops, mobile phones, clothing and sunglasses. The items were valued at a total worth of $3650.
Defence lawyer Iqbal Khan applied for bail claiming his clients had been assaulted by police while in custody.
Public prosecutor Jashveel Singh argued against the bail bid saying the case was of international interest and allowing bail may interfere with witnesses as investigations are still under way.
“This kind of offence is happening and not granting bail sends the right message to would be offenders,” Singh said.
Justice Fernando adjourned the case until tomorrow for a decision on the bail application.
The bodies of the Indian businessmen, who operated a scrap metal business in Nakasi, outside Suva, were found by a farmer digging an old pit latrine in the settlement of Benai in Koronubu, Ba.
They were reported missing last December.
