Two accused of injuring housemate in fight
Request for bail denied
Two men were denied bail on Monday after pleading not guilty to being involved in a fight with their housemate.
Sharath Nalla, 21, and 51-year-old Chinna Bhojanna Padigela, both Indian nationals living in Qormi, were arraigned before Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia. Nalla was accused of attempted grievous bodily harm, and of having slightly injured his housemate using a knife. He was also accused of assaulting and threatening the alleged victim.
His uncle, Bhojanna Padigela, was charged as an accomplice.
Police inspector James Mallia told the court that the incident took place in an apartment on Triq il-Bellic in Qormi. Bhojanna Padigela allegedly held the victim while Nalla hit him with a knife.
Nalla himself called at Qormi police station to file a report over an argument with a housemate.
Following the arraignment, the defence requested bail. The prosecution objected since the parties live together.
The defence countered that the accused could live at an alternative address. It was also pointed out that should the accused be remanded in custody, they would lose their job.
The court denied the bail request and remanded both men in custody.
AG lawyer Martina Muscat prosecuted, assisted by police inspector James Mallia. Lawyers Noel Bianco and Adriano Spiteri assisted Nalla while lawyer Alex Scerri Herrera assisted Bhojanna Padigela.