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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CIVIL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 CIVIL }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 ACTION NO. HBC 296 OF 1996
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 BETWEEN:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 SALENDRA NATH SUKUL}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
 (f/n Tota Ram Singh)
\par of}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Muslim League Estate, Samabula, Suva in Fiji
\par Plaintiff
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid7757202 AND:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF FIJI
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 First Defendant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid7757202 AND:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Second Defendant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid7757202 AND:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 PRADEEP SINGH}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202  (f/n not known to the

\par Plaintiff)
\par Third Defendant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par Ms Prem Narayan and H.K. Nagin for the Plaintiff
\par S. Kumar for the Defendants
\par 
\par Dates of Hearing and}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 Submissions}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 : 10th, 12th, 13th April, 4th, 5th, 6th December 2000, 13th, 14}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 , }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 August, 11th September and 24th October 2001
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3692198 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 Date of Judgment}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 : 28th February 2002
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid7757202 JUDGMENT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par In this action the Plaintiff claims damages both general and exe
mplary for injuries which he claims he received on the night of the 30th of August 1995 when he was forcibly removed from his home at the Fiji Muslim League property at Samabula and assaulted by two Police Officers, one of whom is the Third Defendant.

\par 
\par The Writ was issued on the 25th of June 1996.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The Statement of Claim alleges that the Plaintiff is a mechanic, at the time of the Writ was issued being aged 33 and at the time trial began on the 10th of April 2000 37 years.
\par 
\par Paragraph 4 of the Statement of Claim reads as follows:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 
At the Samabula Police Station the Third Defendant deliberately and unlawfully cut the Plaintiff\rquote s tongue with a penknife.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Before the trial began on the 10th of April 2000 I allowed the Plaintiff to amend this paragraph to read:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 
On the way to the Samabula Police Station the Third Defendant deliberately and unlawfully cut the Plaintiff\rquote s tongue with a penknife.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 On the last day of the trial on the 14th of August 2001 while the Defendants were still giving evidence and when the he
aring resumed I refused the Plaintiff leave to make a further amendment to paragraph 4 proposing to delete all the words after }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 deliberately
}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202  with a view to substituting the following:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 caused an injury to the Plaintiff
\rquote s tongue.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par The reasons why the Plaintiff requested these amendments to paragraph 4 will be apparent later.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The reason why I refused the last amendment was because it had come well after the close of the Plaintiff\rquote s case and on the last day of the hearing.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 I now summarise the evidence of the parties.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff stated that late in the afternoon of the 30th of August 1995 he attended a farewell party for a friend who was migrating overseas from Fiji.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff drank approximately three stubbies of beer.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He then walked up a track to his house and passed the house of his uncle, Baswa Nand whose dog started barking.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The Plaintiff picked up a stick on the path and began shouting and swearing at the dog.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He then went into his house where he had some dinner and then went to sleep.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 At approximately 9.00 p.m. he said he got a shock.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 A Policeman pulled him out of his bed and asked him }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 What did you damage at Baswa\rquote s place?}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 " }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff replied, }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Nothing}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 .}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He then said that the Policeman hit him after he pulled him out of the bed and again on the porch of his house.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He dragged the Plaintiff half way to the porch and the Plaintiff walked the remainder.
\par 
\par He said two Police Officers came into his bedroom.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 They hit him with their fists in the back on the right shoulder and in the back itself.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Police told him they were going to take him to the Samabula Police Station.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 His wife gave him a shirt which he put on over his shorts.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He identified the Third Defendant as one of the Police.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
After they had walked half way to the Police Station the Police put him into a van which was parked on Ratu Mara Road.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
On the way they beat him again.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff said that the Third Defendant hit him for approximately two minutes outside Baswa Nand\rquote 
s house.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 They also kicked him.
\par 
\par After they placed him in the van which he said was parked under a mango tree the Third Defendant said to him, }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Today I\rquote ll fix you up.
}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 You have been a headache to my friend,}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202  meaning Baswa.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 At this point the Third Defendant went back to Baswa Nand
\rquote s house and returned to the van about eight minutes later bringing with him the items which he said the Plaintiff had damaged, namely a bucket and a cooking pot.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 This time Baswa Nand was with him.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The van drove off 
until near an Ice Cream Factory when the Plaintiff said Baswa swore at him obscenely in Hindi.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The Third Defendant also used an obscene term }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 mother fucker}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202  about the Plaintiff\rquote s mother.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff replied in kind.
\par 
\par At this stage the Third Defendant became angry and told the driver to stop the van behind a bus stop.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He then said to him}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 , }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 I\rquote m going to fix you up}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 .
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par The driver then got out and came to the back of the van where the Plaintiff was sitting.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He said the Third Defendant then told the driver to hold him and said, }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 I\rquote m going to cut off his tongue}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The driver then held the Plaintiff\rquote 
s hands from the side and Baswa held his leg.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Third Defendant then gripped the Plaintiff\rquote s neck and put his knee on his stomach.}
{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff shouted out loudly.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Third Defendant then pressed the Plaintiff\rquote s neck forcing his tongue out.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Pradeep Singh had a knife in his right hand which the Plaintiff saw when he tried to free himself.
\par 
\par While his tongue was hanging out he was hit by something and says that the Third Defendant cut his tongue with a penknife which caused him to cry out in pain.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff said his tongue was hanging out bleeding and all his shirt was blood-stained.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 They then arrived at the Police Station where the Plaintiff saw his uncle Baswa give some money to the Police.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 I\rquote ll give you the remainder later}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 .
\par 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Police then locked the Plaintiff in a cell.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
Blood was till coming from his tongue and he was swallowing blood.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff asked the Police to take him to the hospital but they r
efused until early the following morning.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff said he had been left in the cell from 10.30 p.m. until 2.00 a.m.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff said the Police ordered him to tell the doctor that the Plaintiff had fallen down and injured himself.
\par 
\par He was seen by a doctor at the hospital.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He told the doctor a Police Officer had beaten him up.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The doctor then stitched his tongue after which the Plaintiff and the Police then returned to the Police Station.
\par 
\par Later that morning the Plaintiff was charged with damaging property and released from custody.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The Plaintiff went straight to the Office of the Ombudsman and made a complaint about the treatment by the Police.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He later consulted a private doctor who treated him.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff then showed the Court a scar approximately 2\'bd centimetres long across the lower third of his tongue.
\par 
\par In cross-examination the Plaintiff denied he was drunk at the relevant time.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He said that he had gone bare-foot to the Police van although Police evidence later was that he was wearing scuffs.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He said that the track to the main road was fairly dark, lit only by a little moonlight.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par 
\par He said that he did not get on well with Baswa Nand and that day was drizzling rain when they walked down the track to the Police van.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He denied slipping or falling on the track.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He also denied telling the doctor at the hospital that a Police Officer had punched him although the doctor had stated this in his report.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He later agreed that at the time he was under the influence of alcohol.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He had had much beer and his breath was smelling.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He was asked at what exact place his tongue was cut and he said on the driveway that led to Arya Samaj School.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 There was a bus shelter there at the time.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par 
\par The Plaintiff said that Pradeep Singh had a shining penknife about two inches long in his hand with which he cut his tongue from the left side of his mouth.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Here the Plaintiff demonstrated the way his tongue was cut.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff\rquote s wife then gave evidence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 She said that when the Police arrived at their house they said }{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 Open the door or we\rquote ll break it down}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202\charrsid3692198 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid3692198 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 She saw a Policeman punch her husband and drag him outside the house.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 They then beat and kicked him again on his lower back.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 She wanted to come with her husband but the Police told her to go home which she did.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 She saw him the next morning about 11.30 a.m. when he was in a very bad condition.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He could not speak and when he tried to, blood came out of his mouth.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
She had to feed him for about a month as one would feed a small baby by spoon.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
She also said that her husband was bare-footed when he was taken from the house.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
She said she was too frightened to complain to the Police about the way they were assaulting her husband.
\par 
\par The next witness for the Plaintiff was Marika Siliwala a casual labourer who resided at the Muslim League Estate in Samabula.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
On the night of the 30th of August 1995 as he was walking to his house he saw the Plaintiff with some Police Officers.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He asked the Plaintiff was there anything wrong?}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff replied that they were taking him to the Police Station.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said the Plaintiff was wearing trousers and a shirt but the witness could not see any sign of injuries to the Plaintiff\rquote 
s body or mouth but he seemed frightened.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said he was walking freely to the van without anybody holding him.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He told me that the first time he was asked to give evidence since the 30th of August 1995 was in the week before the trial. 
\par 
\par The next witness for the Plaintiff was Doctor Mynit Maw who on the 30th of August 1995 was on duty in the Accident and Emergency Department of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said that he examined the Plaintiff at the hospital at about 12.30 a.m. on the 31st of August 1995 and observed the Plaintiff had an injury on his tongue, left cheek and right arm.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said he had been punched by Police Officers at about 11.00 p.m. the previous night.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 This was the first thing the Plaintiff told him.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He had a lacerated wound on his tongue, that is a wound whose edges were not clear cut.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 It was a fresh wound and was bleeding slowly.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He then said that the Plaintiff had actually two wounds one on the upper surface and the other on the lower surface of the tongue.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He repaired both with a sutury needle.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff was not in shock but had some blood stains on his clothes.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He diagnosed the Plaintiff as having suffered a blunt injury, that is caused by a blunt object applied to a hard surface.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
It was not caused by a sharp-edged weapon.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said the Plaintiff was under the influence of alcohol.
\par 
\par The next witness called by the Plaintiff was Dr. John Charles Fatiaki who examined the Plaintiff for the purpose of giving evidence on the 15th and 29th of November 2000.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said the Plaintiff had a healed scar going right through his tongue in an area corresponding to the original injury and about two centimetres long.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 There was no restriction of any movement nor did the scar tissue hold down the tongue and restrict speech.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 In Doctor Fatiaki\rquote s opinion the original injury appeared to have been caused by a sharp instrument.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said that the injury could have been self-inflicted or inflicted by someone else.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The first hypothesis would be entirely unlikely in a normal sane individual as the tongue is a particularly sensitive organ.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He then said that he believed the Plaintiff\rquote s injury had been caused by a sharp object, namely the Plaintiff\rquote s teeth.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said that if the Plaintiff had been hit on the tongue by a sharp or blunt object one would expect to see contusions.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said the tongue is soft and so one would expect to see bruising and a crush-type injury rather than a laceration transversely through both sides of the tongue.
\par 
\par In cross-examination he said that if a person\rquote s neck was pushed back a person would involuntarily push his tongue out to enable him to breathe.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 This would be a normal reflex action.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He said the over-riding thing was a hand on the neck which caused the Plaintiff to struggle for breath and his tongue would remain out.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff\rquote s case closed at this point after which the Defendants made a no case submission which I rejected in a Ruling given on the 6th of December 2000.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 I held that the way in which it then appeared the Plaintiff\rquote 
s injury to his tongue was caused was simply a variation, modification or development of what had been pleaded and was nothing separate and distinct so as to constitute such a radical departure from the case as pleaded as to dismiss the Plaintiff\rquote 
s claim at that stage.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
I did not put the Defendants to their election not to call evidence if I rejected their submission, considering the question to be discretionary.
\par 
\par The trial resumed on the 13th of August 2001.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
Mr. Kumar in a very brief opening of the defence case said that the defence would call evidence to show that the Plaintiff injured himself somehow or other on the 30th of August.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par 
\par The first witness for the defence was the Third Defendant who said that the Plaintiff\rquote s claim was pure invention and he denied ever cutting the Plaintiff\rquote s tongue with a knife.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said that accompanied by two other Constables he went to the Plaintiff\rquote s house after Baswa Nand had run into the Samabula Police Station breathing heavily.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He seemed to be very frightened.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He told}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
Constable Singh that a drunken man had entered his house and was damaging property.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He then went with the three Policemen to Baswa Nand
\rquote s house along the track previously mentioned.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said this was quite slippery due to rain.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 It was made of soapstone and soil.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 When they arrived at the Plaintiff\rquote s house the Plaintiff\rquote s wife initially refused to let them in but later did so.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par 
\par The Plaintiff then came out from the bedroom without a shirt and asked his wife to give a pair of \lquote flip-flops\rquote  which the Plaintiff then put on.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He smelt heavily of liquor and was staggering.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
It was difficult for the Plaintiff\rquote s wife to wake him.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 They proceeded down the same track.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff\rquote s unstable condition made it hard for him to go down the path; even the Police Officers had difficulty.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff fell a few times.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
There was no light on the track and the Police had no torches.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He fell at least three times and rolled down a few times.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Constable Singh denied punching the Plaintiff.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He did not see any injuries on him because it was dark.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He denied cutting the Plaintiff\rquote s tongue and said he did not have a penknife with him because Police do not carry these.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 T
hey eventually drove in the van to the Police Station and in the light there Constable Singh saw a blood stain on the Plaintiff\rquote s shirt.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Singh asked him what had happened and the Plaintiff replied that he had cut his tongue when he fell coming down the track.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The Duty Officer also asked him how he had received the injury and he repeated that it had happened when he fell.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The Police later took the Plaintiff to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and the next day charged him with damaging property and bailed him.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
Later the Police Commissioner directed an investigation into allegations made in the Daily Post newspaper by the Plaintiff about ill-treatment by the Police and particularly that the Police had cut his tongue.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The investigating officer found there was insufficient evidence to lay charges against Constable Singh.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
Constable Singh said the reason why the Police took the Plaintiff to the Police Station was first for his own safety and secondly because Constable Singh feared the Plaintiff might commit furt
her damage after he became sober or even while he was intoxicated.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Baswa Nand then gave evidence which generally corroborated that of Constable Singh.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He denied giving Singh any money and said that he did not possess a penknife.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said he heard the Plaintiff shouting at his dog and using an obscenity.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He said there was bad blood between himself and the Plaintiff.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He described him as a trouble-maker.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 When the trial resumed on the 14th of August counsel for the Plaintiff applied to amend paragraph 4 of the
 Statement of Claim in the manner I have indicated at the beginning of this Judgment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
I refused the application considering that it was made too late.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The next witness for the defence was Isari Prasad, a Bailiff who had been living at the Muslim League Estate for 38 years.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
When he heard the Plaintiff shouting he saw two Policemen and Baswa Nand going up the hill towards Baswa\rquote s house.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Later he saw them b
ringing the Plaintiff down the track towards the main road and saw the Plaintiff fall down 4 to 5 times.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He said that the Plaintiff fell on the steps which had ben cut into the soapstone and the roots of a breadfruit tree on the path.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The steps were both blunt and sharp.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
The fourth witness for the defence was Detective Constable Samuela Seru who was working the afternoon shift from 3.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. at the Samabula Police Station on the 30th of August.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He remembered the Plaintiff being brought into the Police Station by the Third Defendant.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He was under the influence of liquor and was wearing a blood-stained shirt which was unbuttoned.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff said that he had received his injuries while being brought to the Police Station by Constable Singh.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par The next witness for the defence was a former Police Officer Livai Vuli who said that he was an Assistant Superintendent and was in-charge of the Samabula Police Station on the 30th of August.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He finished his shift but the next morning arrived between 7.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He saw the Plaintiff standing in a cell staring at him.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He ascertained that the Plaintiff had been put into the cell the previous night because he was a little drunk but had made no complaint about ill-treatment.
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The last witness called by the defence was Ambika Prasad a retired Police Officer now living at Sigatoka.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 In 1995 he was attached to the Internal Affairs Department of the Police Force in Suva.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 In August 1995 the Department received a complaint from the Plaintiff that a Police Officer had cut his tongue with a penknife.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Mr. Prasad was assigned to investigate the complaint.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Mr. Prasad spoke to the complainant and saw a rough cut which had been stitched on his tongue.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He gave the Plaintiff a form to complete so that the investigation could proceed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The Plaintiff returned the form on the 5th of September the day on which the Daily Post newspaper had carried a report about the Plaintiff\rquote s allegations.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He inspected the track and then called at the Plaintiff\rquote s home.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He asked the Plaintiff to accompany him to Ratu Sukuna House where he would question him.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 On the way he showed Mr. Prasad where he said a Policeman had cut his tongue.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 This was between a bus shelter and the wall cut from the hill.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
He said that the Police had laid him flat on the ground, someone had stepped on his knees and a Policeman had cut his tongue with a penknife.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 In cross-examination he said that he could not find any evidence to support the Plaintiff\rquote s claim that his tongue had been cut in a Police vehicle.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 He said it was in the bus shelter and not in a vehicle.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 I was impressed by this witness.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3692198 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Conclusion}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 :
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The onus is always on a}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 Plaintiff to prove his case on a balance of probabilities.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
In my judgment there are too many inconsistencies in the Plaintiff\rquote s evidence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
At the beginning he was adamant that his tongue had been cut by a Policeman using a penknife.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
As the evidence emerged the Plaintiff amended his Statement of Claim in the way mentioned at the beginning of this Judgment and later tried to amend it again towards the end of the defence case.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 I am left in sufficient doubt as to how the Plaintiff\rquote s tongue was cut so as not to be satisfied that the Plaintiff has proved his case on a balance of probabilities.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 In my view the evidence of the last witness for the defence, Ambika Prasad is sufficient to dispose of the Plaintiff\rquote s claim.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 I sympathise}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
with Mr. Nagin who came into the case after the Plaintiff\rquote s counsel Ms Narayan had resigned from the office of Sherani & Co.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 In a
 brief submission of the 23rd of October 2001 Mr. Nagin says that whether the Plaintiff\rquote s tongue was cut with a penknife or some other way it was due to the actions of the Police while the Plaintiff was in their custody.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 I accept that but that does not prove that the injury was caused deliberately by the Police.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202 
 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 To succeed on liability the Plaintiff has to satisfy the Court that his injury was caused by the deliberate action of the Police while he was in their custody.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 On the evidence I consider it open to 
find that the injury was caused when the Plaintiff fell on the track going down to the main road and in one or more of these falls bit his own tongue.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757202  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 The result is that I dismiss the Plaintiff\rquote s claim and order him to pay the Defendants\rquote  costs which are to be taxed if not agreed.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7757202 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid7757202 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1383976 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid1383976 JOHN E. BYRNE
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1383976\charrsid1383976 JUDG}{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid1383976 E}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12010513\charrsid1383976 
\par }}