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Tension was high at the Magistrates Court in Suva today when Petero Bai, 21 appeared for his second court hearing.
Bai is accused of raping a class three student of a Suva school early last month.
Tempers flew resulting in a man punching an accused person of another crime, mistaking him for Bai.
State prosecutor Paulini Madanavosa’s application for the matter to be transferred to the High Court was granted by Magistrate Ramila Ratnayyaki.
Madanavosa told the court they wanted the case transferred as the accused is charged with one count of rape and the maximum penalty according to the Crimes Decree is life imprisonment.
Magistrate Ratnayyaki refused bail application by Legal Aid Duty Solicitor Nilesh Sharma.
“The accused cannot be granted bail due to the transfer of the case,” he said.
The case will now be called in the High court on April 23.
