Former Post Fiji CEO Anirudha Bansod is appealing his conviction for abuse of office, despite having pleaded guilty in 2024.

He has already served his sentence and returned to India.

Bansod was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in 2024 after pleading guilty to one count of abuse of office in the Magistrates Court.

The appeal was called before Suva High Court Judge Justice Waleen George this morning.

Justice George encouraged Bansod’s legal team first to establish whether the appeal has merit.

She highlighted Section 247 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009, which restricts a person who has pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court from appealing their conviction, except on matters relating to the extent, appropriateness or legality of the sentence.

The matter has been adjourned to next Wednesday for the court to consider whether there is merit in the appeal.