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JP cleared of marriage licence fraud charge
After three ‘embarrassing’ years…
After three years, Justice of the Peace Parmanand Sukhu has had charges against him dismissed. These charges stemmed from an allegation that he had falsely pretended to be a marriage officer and obtained money by false pretence.
The charges were dismissed last January due to insufficient evidence.
Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson had initially presided over the matter.
It was alleged that between August 10 and 11, 2005, Sukhu obtained $10,000 from Sahadra Khandai by falsely pretending that he was in a position to marry two individuals.
It was also alleged that he pretended to be a marriage officer and conducted a ceremony to marry the woman and her mate.
JP Parmanand Sukhu
The allegations were made after the couple went to an embassy and alleged that Sukhu had officiated at their marriage. The police were then informed and the JP was arrested.
But Sukhu told Kaieteur News that records revealed that the marriage was in fact conducted by a licensed marriage officer, who is also a JP.
The JP said that he “filled, stamped and signed the marriage petition for the intended marriage couple, which I am authorised to do, being a JP and a Commissioner of Oaths and Affidavits.”
“The … couple, when they went to the Embassy and was asked: ‘Who did the marriage?’, they forgot the marriage officer’s name and mentioned my name. They probably took the marriage petition for the marriage certificate.
The couple was then turned down by the Embassy, and they went to the police, who called me in to give a statement.
I was subsequently charged and placed before the court. After three long embarrassing years, I am now found
innocent of these charges.”
Sukhu alleged that the police rank who conducted the investigation was ignorant of the procedure regarding legal marriages.
“He did not do a proper investigation to see if there is a case, but went ahead and charged me,” the JP alleged.
According to Sukhu, who has an office at Maraj Building, not only was he forced to spend a lot of money on legal fees, but his business has also declined because of the false allegations.
The Marriage Officer subsequently presented a signed statement that he had solemnised the couple’s marriage.
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