.gif)
Fiji High Court judge Justice Daniel Goundar has raised questions about the application by former prime minister and Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry seeking a non-resident judge to hear the case against him of tax evasion and money laundering.
The application by Chaudhry’s lawyer son Rajendra Chaudhary outlined precluding the current judge saying he is “involved in an interested party”.
Justice Goundar responded to the application by asking: “How can a judge be interested in a party?”
He has also ordered the State to file any motions on the hearing date set for next month.
Rajendra Chaudhary also made an application seeking leave to file affidavits.
He added that if leave is granted, other supplementary applications made will be withdrawn.
Justice Goundar stressed that while every party is given the chance to make applications, it does not mean one can go on filing as many applications as he/she wishes.
He granted leave and set the hearing date for September 20.
Chaudhary is charged with 12 counts of money laundering, tax evasion and giving false information to Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority.
By Edwina Chand
