Bench warrant extended for Patel

Fiji’s High Court in Suva today turned down a request by the lawyer of former Post Fiji chairman and businessman, Mahendra Motibhai Patel, who had asked for the cancellation of a bench warrant issued to his client in March.

The court turned down a request filed by lawyer, Barbara Malimali and adjourned the case to November 2 for mention.

In making his decision, Justice Prabaharan Kumararatnam said that it was unfair on Peni Mau and Dhirendra Pratap when Patel has not been attending court.

Malimali had told the court that her client is still undergoing medical treatment by his eye-surgeon in Sydney, Australia. She had also assured Patel’s return saying he would not abandon his many businesses here in Fiji.

By Indrani Krishna