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Attorney-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan has been retained by the teen who was allegedly rape by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, Dharamlall is being represented by the law firm of Hughes, Fields and Stoby.
Ramjattan, speaking on Sherod Duncan’s Credible Sources’ programme said he was asked by the teen’s mother to be present for a statement her daughter had to give the police. According to him, the mother wanted an independent lawyer to be present. Ramjattan said that was also the request of the daughter.
Having turned up at the site, the mother advised the police of his presence. He was, however, denied access on the ground the Child Protection Agency said private lawyers cannot be present during the interview/statement taking. He noted the interview was conducted by the CPA not the police.
On inquiring why he was not allowed to be present, Ramjattan said he was told to speak to Ms. October and the agency will only act differently on her advice. Efforts to reach Ms. October via phone failed, he said. He said a similar call was made to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, but she too did not answer her telephone.
The lawyer, who is also Leader of the Alliance for Change and Member of Parliament, reminds the right to counsel is constitutionally protected.
Reiterating his call for Dharamlall’s resignation, Ramjattan said notwithstanding the presumption of innocence, the minister should not be a Member of Parliament given the nature of the alleged crime.
The attorney also shared that he was informed, the room in Dharamlall’s house, where the alleged crime took place, was repainted and the furnishings removed. Also, there was the smell of fresh paint in the room, he said he was told. A similar story was reported in Demerara Waves.
Listen to Ramjattan recount what transpired.
