Controversies
On 15 August 2005, Chaudhry announced that he was suing the government for F$500,000 for the loss of superannuation, income, and future earnings, what he says was caused by military and police negligence. The security forces, he alleges, knew that a coup was likely and did nothing to prevent it. "As a result of their negligence, I had to endure physical torture and psychological trauma and am seeking compensation for these and related matters," he said.
On 13 September 2005, police announced that they were investigating a complaint against Chaudhry made by Lalesh Shankar, an employee of the ruling United Fiji Party (SDL). Shankar claimed that Chaudhry had verbally abused him. Chaudhry denied this, saying that what really happened was that a friend who had accompanied him had asked Shankar, an Indo-Fijian, how he could work for a party that was so anti Indian and racist in its policies. According to Chaudhry, Shankar had demanded an apology, and had called the police when his friend refused. Chaudhry himself had not been personally involved, he said.
On 24 January 2007, Chaudhry attacked the leadership of the Fiji Law Society (FLS) on Fiji Television. He said he was unhappy with the stance of the FLS President Devanesh Sharma and Vice-President Tupou Draunidalo, and claimed that their strong condemnation of the military coup of 5 December 2006 and of the interim government that was formed the following month were personal statements that had been made purportedly on behalf of the FLS, without consulting its members. Chaudhry announced that he was attempting to call an emergency meeting to deal with the issue. If his grievances were not met, he threatened the formation of an alternative organization to represent Fiji's lawyers.
The next day, Draunidalo announced that Sharma had called a special meeting to "crush" internal opposition to their stand against the interim government .
On 26 January, Chaudhry announced his intention to sue the FLS, after receiving a letter from the Society threatening to suspend his conditional legal practicing certificate for allegedly breaching its terms, because he and his legal partner did not share an office. That matter was before the court, however, and had been since December 2006, he claimed. He accused the leadership of the FLS of having an agenda against him, and reiterated his call for the establishment of an alternative organization.
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