Latest update December 16th, 2024 9:00 AM
DPP still looking at Dharamlall’s file
Kaieteur News – The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Tuesday said that all cases handed to it for advice “are given due legal attention.” The statement by the DPP’s office followed protests over the alleged rape by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.
Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum last week said that file on the alleged rape of a 16-year-old Indigenous girl by the minister was sent to the DPP Shalimar Ali Hack, SC on June 22 for legal advice. Since then several groups including the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), have protested for a speedy return of the file.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC,
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall
In response to this, the DPP’s Chambers said it has observed that members of the opposition political parties have mounted protests in front of its office. As such, it was stated that the DPP’s office will not be intimidated by these individuals who profess to want justice in a criminal matter even while a police file is being given due legal attention.
It was underscored that the rape file in question, is only one of thousands of police files, which the DPP’s Office receives from all stations in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana for legal attention.
“We strongly urge the general public to desist from politicizing an alleged criminal offence. It is indeed one of national interest and therefore, all statements/evidence must be considered before legal advice is given to the Guyana Police Force,” it was further stated.
The DPP’s office said it will continue to carry out its constitutional functions in an impartial manner.
This publication had reported that in a letter to President Irfaan Ali, the teen girl shared gruesome details about how she was allegedly groomed and later raped by the minister. In her letter, she pleaded with President Ali, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and relevant authorities to look into the matter.
Protestors holding placards
According to the letter seen by this publication, the girl first met the minister at an event last year, when she was 15-years-old. She said she was raped three months after meeting the minister and at that time, she was 16-years-old. She disclosed in the letter that after continuously harassing her to meet up with him, she eventually agreed to meet the minister. The teen said this is when the minister allegedly raped and sodomised her before handing her a sum of money.
Following the official report made to the police by the teen girl in the company of an officer from the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA), Minister Dharamlall was arrested and subsequently released on $1M bail.
Amid calls and protest by civil society for Dharamlall to be sacked, President Irfaan Ali announced that the rape accused has proceeded on administrative leave to allow for a full probe into the allegations.
Moreover, Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent interview said that if the rape allegations levelled against Minister Dharamlall are true – the minister would have to face the consequences. Jagdeo also stated that while he hopes the allegations are not true, neither the party nor the government “will put its neck on a block for anyone.” For his part, the president had stated that he spoke to the minister who denied the allegations. However, he said, “no one will be held unaccountable.”
- Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Minister of Education, Nigel Dharamlall, President Ali, Priya Manickchand
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