C.N. Sharma remanded

Apr 21, 2010 News

Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday refused to grant bail to carnal knowledge accused Chandra Narine Sharma, when he appeared before her yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Sharma after being denied bail collapsed in the prisoners’ chute and had to be rushed back to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

C.N. Sharma being escorted into court yesterday

Late yesterday afternoon, an employee at CNS 6 said on condition of anonymity that Mr Sharma is faking it.
The staff member said that Mr Sharma has refused to take his medication, that he has been spitting it out in the bathroom thus preventing control of his blood pressure.
Reports are that he has a sick sinus syndrome described as a condition in which the heart speeds up and slows down on its own.
A doctor explained that the condition is not malignant and will not cause fainting.
Sharma was discharged from the hospital late yesterday afternoon, and was up to press time being detained at the Brickdam Police Station.
Kaieteur News understands that the remand warrant was not signed.
Yesterday the Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack, who is prosecuting for the state, made an application for the matter to be held in camera (in private). Appearing on Sharma’s behalf were attorneys at law Nigel Hughes, Tanya Warren, Mark Waldron and Vic Puran.
Handcuffed and shackled police officers brought a nervous looking Sharma to the court room.
As he sat in the prisoner’s dock, Sharma repeatedly shouted at the reporters telling them “he was not feeling well, and if he collapsed and died the government should be blamed”.
Sharma also had a portable blood pressure machine attached to his wrist and checked the device constantly while he sat in the dock.
The DPP in her brief address before the court room was emptied said that the victim’s identity must be protected.

CN Sharma sitting in this police vehicle outside the Camp Street prison yesterday afternoon

Attorney at law Nigel Hughes said that he had no objections for the matter to be held in camera, however he stressed the fact that the case was not a secret one.
Hughes also made the request for the relatives of the accused to be present in court. Almost half an hour later Sharma’s attorneys and the DPP emerged from the courtroom and told reporters that bail was refused, and Sharma was escorted to the prisoner’s chute.
As police officers opened the prisoner’s chute, they found Sharma lying on the floor.
The police officers quickly rushed to Sharma’s assistance and hurriedly rushed him to a waiting police car.
A large crowd gathered yesterday at the court, many appearing to be in support of Sharma. They shouted and protested at the way they perceived Sharma was being treated.
“Dey framing Sharma. He is innocent of the charge” said some among the large gathering.
The DPP told reporters that she was very concerned over the prevalence of sexual abuse involving children.
She said that citizens need to be more vigilant and also the court system and society as a whole are supposed to protect “young children”.
When asked by reporters if she had taken Sharma’s medical condition into consideration, the DPP said “he looked fine” when she saw him.
She further told reporters that the state opposed bail because of the fear that Sharma might try to tamper with witnesses.
The DPP was positive that the prosecution has a strong to enough case to get a conviction. “Based on the statements that I’ve seen the prosecution has a strong case” said the DPP.
Attorney at Law Vic Puran related that the magistrate knew Sharma’s health condition but nevertheless remanded him.
According to Puran, Sharma suffered a mild stroke shortly before he was brought to court.
The lawyer also said that they are presently filing High Court bail proceedings. Like the DPP, Puran too was positive that they (the defence) have a strong case.
Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson transferred the matter to court two. Sharma is expected to make another court appearance today before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell.
On Saturday, the girls aged five, nine, 18 and 21, as well as a cousin, aged 12, were all questioned by ranks at the Criminal Investigation Department at Eve Leary.
The eldest sister is claiming that the father of her child is C.N. Sharma.
The TV host had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on Wednesday evening after he was taken to the Brickdam lockups.
Sharma had previously been questioned at Eve Leary in relation to the allegations of rape leveled against him by a 13-year-old girl in a signed sworn affidavit.
This course of action by the police followed reports by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Child Care and Protection Department of multiple rapes committed on four underage sisters.
That arm of the Human Services and Social Security commenced investigations of its own after receiving reports.