Raj's acquittal generated criticism from a number of quarters. Opposition Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said that he still believed that Raj had abused state funds. ""Using State funds is a case of abuse. He should not have used it and nothing will change that fact. Abuse is abuse,"" Chaudhry said on 12 September. The same day, National Alliance Party Secretary Filipe Bole said the court's decision was improper. He endorsed the judgement of Auditor-General Eroni Vatuloka that state entitlements were for the purpose of fulfilling civil service duties, and were not transferable to others. He also shared Vatuloka's concerns that the judgement would adversely impact other court cases involving misappropriation of funds. Also on 12 September, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions announced that the ruling would be appealed, as Opposition Leader Chaudhry had urged. The appeal was duly filed with the Court of Appeal on 12 April 2006. Lawyer Hemendra Nagin announced that he would represent Raj at the appeal, expected to be held in July.