{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang5129\deflangfe5129{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f38\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}
{\f39\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f41\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f42\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f43\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}
{\f44\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f45\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f46\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;
\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;
\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{
\s1\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{
\s2\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{
\s3\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 3;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*
\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid13461588\rsid13506459\rsid15488097\rsid16010866\rsid16651431
\rsid16733742}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.4219;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author tbaikeirewa}{\operator Emalus Campus}{\creatim\yr2003\mo7\dy31\hr14\min53}{\revtim\yr2003\mo7\dy31\hr14\min53}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages2}
{\nofwords681}{\nofchars3884}{\*\company Director of Public Prosecutions}{\nofcharsws4556}{\vern16469}}\margb360 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180
\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\rsidroot13461588 \fet0\sectd 
\linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4
\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}
{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain 
\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13461588 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
\par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: 108 OF 1991
\par 
\par BETWEEN:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 THE STATE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 Appellant
\par 
\par &
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 RONGORONGO TERUBEA}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588\charrsid13461588 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13461588 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
\par Ms N Shameem for the appellant
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 Mr T Fa for the Respondent}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13461588 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13461588 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
\par In this case the Director of Public Prosecutions made an application in the Magistrate}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 '}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 s Court of Suva on 14}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
 October 1991 in Magistrates Court Suva Criminal Case No: 2004 of 1991 seeking an order under section 164(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code that funds currently held in favour of the
 Rabi Council of Leaders and the Banaban Trust Fund Board be transferred to the interim custody of the office of the Prime Minister pending the hearing of the above-named case.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 The learned Chief Magistrate had by his ruling dated 11}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 th}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588  November 1991 refused the application.
\par 
\par The DPP has now appealed to this court from that ruling.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
In the criminal case in which the application was made the Deputy Chairman of the Rabi Council of Leaders, Rongorongo Terubea, is being charged on 4 counts of fraudulent conversion
 of sums of money aggregating to above $64,000, the property of the Rabi Council of Leaders.
\par 
\par Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code appears under the heading }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 '}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 restitution of property}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 '}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588  and under the sub-title }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 '}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 preservation or disposal of property}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 '}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 .}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 In 
the first place an application of the kind made by the prosecution in the present instance must be made in any proceedings pending before a court.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 According to the affidavit of Detective Inspector Sailendra Chandra the order the prosecution seeks is not ne
cessary for the pending criminal case but for the purpose of the wider investigations that are now a foot but are not yet the subject of any charges at present.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 Section 164 is clearly not intended to facilitate Police investigations which may reveal possible further charges.
\par 
\par Section 164(1)(a) deals with }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
the preservation or interim custody or detention of any property or thing produced in evidence or as to which questions may arise in the proceedings.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
\par 
\par No such situation has been made out in this case.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 The accused is charged with fraudulent conversion of monies.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 Does the order sought concern any property which will}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 be produced in evidence or regarding which questions may arise in the case?}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 That is the basic question.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 The property which the section has in mi
nd is property regarding which the court may have to decide as to its ultimate destination at the end of the case or in relation to which an order for preservation or detention had to be}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 made pending such disposal.
\par 
\par No such contingency is involved in this case.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 Neither Section 164(1)(a) nor any of the other sub-sections come into play in this case.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 The affidavit of Inspector Sailendra Chandra is clear on that point.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 According to para 13 of his affidavit the evidence he intends to lead at the trial is available.
\par 
\par I have no doubt that the order sought will be helpful to the Police as it will not render futile the outcome of future and further investigations in relation to the funds of the Rabi Council of Leaders and Banaban Trust Fund.
\par 
\par The powers, functions and duties of the Rabi Council and the Banaban Trust Fund have been comprehensively set out in an Ac ct of Parliament.
\par 
\par What this court is being asked to do by the DPP is to arbitrarily interfere with those powers, functions and duties without hearing any of the interested parties and transfer the fund to the Prime Minister}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588 
'}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 s interim control \endash  and to do it under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code which deals with property produced in court and allied matters.
\par 
\par This court is bound by the four corners of section 164.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
The order sought by the prosecution does not arise from the necessities of preserving property with a view to its ultimate disposal at the end of the case or with relevant questions that may arise in the case in that connection.
\par 
\par In England there are enactments under which such orders as are sought by the prosecution in the instant case can be made.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
The prosecution arguments seems to be that in view of the lack of such legislation in Fiji this court should give relief under a section which in terms is meant for quite a different situation.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 The law perhaps is not powerless to grant the types of relief the prosecution seeks.
\par 
\par But it should be obtained in the appropriate civil forum.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 This court has not only to do justice but do justice according to law.
\par 
\par The present prosecution application is misconceived.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13461588  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 It fails in limine.
\par 
\par I therefore dismiss the appeal of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13461588 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 M. D. JESURATNAM
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13461588 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 
\par At Suva
\par 2}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588 nd}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459\charrsid13461588  December, 1991}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13506459 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16651431 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16651431 HAA0108.91S}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16651431\charrsid13461588 
\par }}