Judge orders progress in Ferris wheel manslaughter case

A High Court judge has ordered counsels to expedite progress in the manslaughter case of an Occupational Health and Safety inspector charged in connection with a fatal Ferris wheel incident in 2023.

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It was frustrating that the counsels were not able to liaise and solve issues before coming to court.

Justice Thushara Rajasinghe expressed frustration in the Suva High Court, noting that the case has been called approximately five times without the accused, 34-year-old Ashneel Nath, entering a plea. Nath faces a manslaughter charge stemming from an alleged breach of duty related to the death of a 21-year-old woman who fell from a Ferris wheel during the 2023 Vodafone Showcase at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

The judge directed the counsels to liaise and resolve outstanding issues before future court appearances. Nath's lawyer, Karl Jamnadas, argued that the state has not clearly articulated the alleged omission by his client and called the charge defective. He also raised concerns about the disclosure of evidence, stating that nothing indicated a license was required for operating the Ferris wheel and that his client was not present at the scene as claimed by the state.

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The state has not yet been able to articulate the omission and what the accused did and called the charge defective and claimed that power and duty are two separate things.

Despite these arguments, the state maintained its evidence and indicated the presence of witnesses to confirm Nath's presence at the incident site. The judge ordered the state to file amended information within seven days, and the matter is scheduled for a further call on the 23rd of this month. A proposed meeting between counsels was postponed due to a state counsel's trial commitment.

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Nothing indicated the need for a licence for operating a Ferris wheel, and asked the state to relook at its disclosures.