Latest update January 22nd, 2025 3:40 AM
Dec 04, 2010 News
The case of witness tampering against embattled television owner Chandra Narine Sharma continued yesterday before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court.
At yesterday’s hearing state prosecutor, Sanjeev Datadin, stated that he does not see the need why the matter before Magistrate Chandan-Edmond should be halted as a result of the motion file in the High Court.
He stated that there is no order from the High Court or any other court to prevent the hearing of the witness tampering case.
Datadin added that if the accused felt that his rights of a fair trial are being violated then he should make his intention known at the first instance of case hearing which is the layout procedure of the court.
He told the Magistrate that there is no evidence before her to prove that the defendant rights are being breached. The prosecutor said that fairness and bias do not arise in the court, whereas the court has to consider the issue of the law.
Sharma’s attorney Nigel Hughes interjected and told the Magistrate that the head of state made statements, which involved the accused not receiving a fair hearing. Hughes told the court that due to the proceedings currently engaging the Supreme Court, the Magistrate court has no jurisdiction to entertain the submission by the prosecutor.
The court can only proceed if the Magistrate finds the action frivolous and vexatious. He made mentioned of directives, which the head of state issued to a particular chancellor.
Hughes said that it is also the policy for the chancellor to be handing down instructions to the Magistrates.
His lawyer added that on several occasions Magistrates have been called to meetings with out the knowledge of the Chief Justice. And as a result the accused is fearful that the chancellor will issue directive to the presiding Magistrate in favor of the president, since he the chancellor would not want to upset the head of state.
After listening to both counsels lengthy submission, the Magistrate adjourned the matter for December 28.
At the last hearing Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond postponed the matter to rule on the submissions of the two councils.One of the witnesses in the matter was called to testify and was cross-examined by State Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin.
On November 24, the matter was postponed for a report on the constitution motion, which was filed in the high court against the Attorney General.
Sharma, his son-in-law Ravi Mangar, Tyrone Ali, Mark Reid, Raywattie Ramsaywack and Doodnauth were all charged with obstruction of justice.
That charge stemmed from the allegation of carnal knowledge of a girl under 12.
Sharma is accused of willfully attempting to obstruct the course of justice by removing two of the girls at the centre of the allegations against him, from their known address and taking them to a house at Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, in order to prevent them from being questioned by the police in relation to the allegations.
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