Cops say file on KN staffer’s bribery allegation was sent for legal advice

Jun 20, 2017 News

It took the Guyana Police Force (GPF) almost a year to come out and say that the file of Kaieteur News’ staffer, Harry Brijmohan accusing five ranks of extorting money from him last August, has been sent for legal advice.

Harry Brijmohan

Yesterday, the force in a statement said that the file having been sent for legal advice was returned and further investigation was recommended.
This was reportedly done and forwarded to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority for his recommendation and submission for legal advice on March 21, last.
In the release, the GPF’s Public Relation Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan accused this newspaper of sensationalizing the story instead of contacting the relevant authority to get an update on this matter.
It must be noted that the reporter did contact the Head of Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) on numerous occasions for a comment. There was one instance, whilst in his office, he informed his staff to tell the reporter that he was out.
Brijmohan died in an accident on the Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD) Public Road, three months after the report was made, and without the matter being addressed with any urgency.
It is unclear why the police took so long on this case, but the investigating ranks are in possession of surveillance footage supporting the allegation made by the 27-year-old on August 17, last.
Brijmohan and the five ranks accused of extorting money from him at Red Road, Providence, EBD, provided statements to the Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
The ranks were stationed at the Providence Police Station and conducting patrol duties at the time Brijmohan was stopped for riding without a helmet.
Kaieteur News understands that the ranks have since been transferred to other stations within ‘A’ Division.
Giving details of the allegation, Brijmohan had indicated that the ranks searched him, demanded his documents, and then informed him that they had to charge him and place him before the court, despite his offence being one that required him being given a ticket.
He was told that he could have only made a phone call after 72 hours.
”One of them tell me that I should have ride away, that his gun rusty because long he ain’t use it,” Brijmohan had recounted.
The Kaieteur News staffer was only allowed to continue his journey home when the policemen demanded that he give them $5000.
When Brijmohan’s experience with the lawmen made the news and OPR launched an investigation, the five policemen in question all denied ever seeing or stopping the motorcyclist—although they admitted that they were indeed patrolling in the area on that day. However, video footage later surfaced, contradicting the denial by the cops.
The footage showed Brijmohan sitting in the tray of an unmarked vehicle (with his motorcycle), as it drove along the road that leads to Providence New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, between 15:20 hours and 15:35 hrs. The footage was handed over to the detectives who were working on the case.
Before Brijmohan died, he had made contact with ranks investigating the case almost daily, but never got any positive response.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News