Pardeep Chand
July 8, 2007
Bocalevu, Fiji

Fiji Times
(Suva, Fiji)
July 9, 2007

Taxi driver found dead

SERAFINA QALO
Monday, July 09, 2007

THE body of a taxi driver, believed to have been murdered, was 
found in a creek yesterday.

This has outraged Labasa's taxi operators, who lashed out at 
police for not taking their complaints of increased harassment 
seriously.

The body of Pardeep Chand of Siberia was found in a creek at 
Bocalevu at 5.30am outside of Labasa town.

Police Media Liaison Officer Northern Sergeant Ajay Nand said 
details leading to Mr Chand's death were still sketchy.

"At this stage, we are still investigating the death of the taxi 
driver, the causes and what exactly happened before his death," 
he said.

"His body was found by a Fijian fisherman at about 5,30am who 
contacted the police.

He said that the taxi was found abandoned in Labasa town.

Paula Rakovi, a witness, said he had passed the taxi at about 
7am where it was abandoned and a youth was lying inside it.

"Whether he was alive or dead I do not know, but I definitely saw 
someone lying inside," he said.

"I think he was asleep but I could not tell because he did not 
move at all."

According to a reliable police source, a young man has been 
taken in for questioning.

One young man is in police custody in relation to the death of the 
taxi driver."

" There are more out there that police is looking for but we have 
managed to get in one," the source said.

Labasa Taxi Association suspect foul play and has threatened 
shorter working hours.

President Brijnand Sharma said for the past two months ago, 
attacks and robberies of taxi drivers in Labasa were significantly 
more.

This was why the association persistently raised its concerns with 
police," he said.

"If this continues then we will have to finish work at 6pm because 
drivers lives are at risk," he added.

"The public should not treat drivers this way because we 
provided the service for the public."

Meanwhile. The Northern Taxi Association General Secretary 
Mohammed Imitiaz Munif blamed police for not doing a good job 
in hunting down culprits involved in the series of robberies in 
May.

They believe the same people are to be blamed for Mr Chand's 
death.

+++++++++++++++++++

Fiji Times
(Suva, Fiji)
July 10, 2007

Youths quizzed over drivers death

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

POLICE have taken in three youths between the ages of 20 
years and 25 years for questioning over the death of Labasa taxi 
driver Pardeep Chand.

Divisional Crime Officer Northern Luke Rawalai said one of the 
suspects was found with Chands mobile phone.

We have brought this three in following a tip off and 
investigations are continuing, he said.

The body of Mr Chand was found in creek on Sunday morning 
and this has outraged Labasa taxi operators who lashed out at 
police for not taking their complaints of increased harassment 
seriously.

The body of Mr Chand was found by a fisherman about 5.30am 
who reported the matter to police.

On Sunday, Harish, Mr Chands eldest child who lives in Suva 
had called home to speak with his dad but the heartbreaking 
voice of his mother, Rahda Mani answered and cried: Papa 
(dad) is missing.

I was so shocked and didnt want to think of the unexpected so I 
told mum that I would be in Labasa by Sunday afternoon, Harish 
said.

When I arrived I was told that my dads body was found by a 
creek and I wondered who will now support my family because I 
am still looking for a job in Suva.

Mrs Mani could not hold back her tears as she spoke of the last 
moment she spent with her husband.

He told me he was going to Wailevu to drink grog with a friend 
and for me to stay home with my sons. Those were his last 
words but I want to ask the people who killed my husband to 
explain to my children the reason of their action, Mrs Mani said.

She has also blamed police for not cooperating with the family at 
initial stages.

Police media liaison officer Northern Sergeant Ajay Nand said 
the taxi was found abandoned in Labasa Town.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fiji Times
(Suva, Fiji)
July 11, 2007

Trio charged with murder

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

THREE unemployed youths were charged with the murder of a 
taxi driver in the Northern Division at the weekend.

North police chief Luke Rawalai said the youths had been 
charged with robbery with violence, unlawful use of motor 
vehicle and murder.

Assistant Superintendent Rawalai said the three men were aged 
between 20 to 25 years and would appear in the Labasa court 
this morning.

He said the men were charged yesterday afternoon following an 
interview with police.

It is alleged that the three hired Pardeep Chand's taxi from 
Vunivau, outside Labasa Town, and took him to an isolated 
place in Bainisucu, where they are alleged to have beaten and 
killed him.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fiji Times
(Suva, Fiji)
July 12, 2007

Murder trio denied bail

Thursday, July 12, 2007

THREE youths accused of murdering a taxi driver at the 
weekend in the Northern Division were denied bail yesterday by 
the Labasa Court.

Filimoni Navetau, 23, Tomasi Cama, 25 and Manoa Ratunaisila, 
20, a secondary school student appeared before Magistrate 
Anare Tuilevuka in a packed court room.

The three are charged with three counts of robbery with violence, 
unlawful use of motor vehicle and murder.

The court heard that between July 7 and 8, the three allegedly 
robbed taxi driver Pardeep Chand of $180, took the taxi for their 
own use and murdered Chand on the same night.

State prosecutor Kiji Bavou asked the court not to grant bail to 
the three youths of Seaqaqa because the charges of robbery 
with violence and murder warranted a maximum sentence of life 
imprisonment.

She also told the court that if the youths were granted bail, they 
could interfere with key witnesses whom they were drinking with 
on the night of the alleged incident.

For the secondary school student who is also a son of a 
Pentecostal church minister, Miss Bavou said because he was 
more than 18 years old, he was no longer a juvenile so he should 
not be spared from the decision not to grant bail.

Miss Bavou told the court that the three were also suspects in six 
robbery with violence cases against taxi drivers in Labasa in 
May.

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