Devanesh Sharma is one of the big guns of the legal profession in Fiji – the “go to” lawyer for a host of big individuals and corporates because of his ability to cut through the detail of even the most complex cases and provide his clients with the maximum opportunity of winning.
It’s a sign of the respect he commands that he has been the “go to” defence lawyer for Frank Bainimarama, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Sitiveni Qiliho despite having been a strong public opponent of Bainimarama’s 2006 coup. (see below)
Sharma has often gone head-to-head with the suspended DPP, Christopher Pryde, in the courts. But he has now come to Pryde’s defence to argue publicly – in a Grubsheet comment – that the State has been wrong to delay dealing with the allegations against him for misbehaviour and cut off his salary, in breach of the Constitution
“Chris doesn’t deserve this kind of injustice”, says the former Marist Boy and Victoria University law graduate. Here’s what he says:
Section (15)(3) of the Constitution requires every party charged with an offence to have the matter dealt within a reasonable time. It is totally unreasonable to keep a charged person hanging like this. In Chris’s case it is inordinate delay. He should be paid his salary until the matter is properly determined by a Tribunal or an alternate settlement is reached with Chris. Chris doesn’t deserve this kind of injustice.
It’s an important intervention at a time when the Fiji Law Society – representing the nation’s lawyers in private practice – was very vocal about the unsuitability of John Rabuku to be acting DPP because it is unconstitutional but has been notably silent about the unconstitutional conduct of the Judicial Services Commission towards the substantive DPP, Christopher Pryde.
Devanesh Sharma is former president of the Law Society. So hopefully his action in coming to Pryde’s support will encourage the current FLS President, Wylie Clarke, to issue a public statement of support along the same lines. He obviously cannot do so without broad consensus in the legal profession that Christopher Pryde warrants support but Sharma’s statement undoubtedly points to a great deal of disquiet among senior lawyers about how the suspended DPP has been treated.
It is now 10 days since the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, said that the suspended DPP should not have had his salary severed and he would “talk to those responsible for the decision”. Why has it taken so long for this to be resolved? Is the PM so impotent that we are now approaching two weeks since he conceded a course of action was wrong yet it appears to have had no impact at all?
Rabuka and his new Attorney General, Graham Leung, appear to be dragging their feet. But Devanesh Sharma’s comments are a clear indication that the Coalition’s unconstitutional conduct is regarded as unacceptable in senior legal ranks and the political pressure is intensifying.
Now that the Prime Minister is back from the PALM summit in Japan, it is time for action. Because the government’s conduct and that of the JSC is doing significant political damage when the nation’s lawyers start calling it out publicly as unlawful.
Devanesh Shama’s Wikipedia entry:
Imagine if these bullying intimidation deprivation of liberty occurred in Australia, Fair Work Ombudsman would have ripped Rabuka to sleep
At least leading Lawyers such as Devanesh have the courage to call a spade a spade unlike the Law Society which opts to act selectively.
What is wrong is wrong! What is right is right!
The Government should stop penalising people for criticising or holding the Government to account as this is the very role of the people to hold accountability of those they appoint in power.
It’s so sad to see that the false media freedom or freedom of speech advocated by this government was totally farce as we continue to see filtration of comments of comments on the Government page and media itself taking a back seat in reporting matters of national interest.
Remember you can keep people in the dark. However People nowadays can see right past the bullshit or at least the non-compromised ones can.
In a country that is going through dark days Devanesh offer a beacon of hope. A lawyer who has not compromised himself is rare in Fiji. He is a true class act. A ray of light in these troubling times. Well done Dev for speaking up.
Incredible to think how his conduct has contrast with others who have gone from hero to zero!
Didn’t the same Devanesh offer to defend Graham as well, in response to Richard s threat? Now Devanesh is defending Chris. So he must be doing things right, while others including those FLS heavyweights are off track given their silence. May they start barking soon too.
Yes, a man of impeccable judgment. 🙂
Mr Devanesh Sharma is a great advocate. He is meticulous and professional. Whoever he represents, he does his job with zeal, unmatched efficiency and excellence.
A decent man with no malicious intent at all.
Are you promoting his business Graham?
I am highlighting the fact that he has stood up for the rule of law. If that promotes his business, well and good. A lawyer promoting the rule of law? How quaint. Only in Fiji, eh?
You mean the go to lawyer for criminals yes, fits the bill perfectly for Pride eh Pryde 😉
Lately I heard cops in Suva stopped few people with very dark sunglasses on streets and searched them for drugs.
Should do same in court houses and blood test too.
Tabe Tabe
O sobo
Will he fight for free?