Documentary record Bound by Fear
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Conviction Christian institutions & contexts Evangelical, Pentecostal, and independent Nausori, Fiji · 2020

Fiji: pastor sentenced in absentia to 14 years for raping a fifteen-year-old congregant

Record class

Core record

Evidence status

Convicted

Authority role

pastor of the Hindi Christian Fellowship Mission Church, Nausori

Organization

Hindi Christian Fellowship Mission Church, Nausori

Spiritual nexus

A church girl under her pastor; the flight changes his whereabouts, not the adjudication.

  • Pastoral or clerical authority

Evidence structure

Proceedings

  1. 2020-12-16 · conviction; sentenced in absentia — fugitive

    High Court of Fiji, Suva (Goundar J). Ravinesh Chand, pastor of the Hindi Christian Fellowship Mission Church in Nausori, was convicted of three counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a fifteen-year-old girl of his congregation. He absconded before sentencing; on 16 December 2020 the High Court sentenced him in absentia to 14 years with an eleven-year non-parole period — the judge calling his conduct 'disgraceful as a spiritual leader' — and a bench warrant remains outstanding. The conviction stands.

Documented coercion mechanisms

  • pastoral authority over a teenage member of his church

Primary record

Sources

national newspaper court reporting sentencing report Fijivillage: 'Nausori pastor who is on the run sentenced to 14 years'.

National outlet's sentencing report.

national public broadcaster sentencing report FBC News: 'Run-away pastor cops 14 years for rape'.

Public broadcaster corroboration.

Related record

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