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Former minister in the David Granger/Moses Nagamooto government, Ms. Simona Broomes told Village Voice News the struggle continues for justice for a minor who allegedly was sexually violated by former minister Nigel Dharamlall.
According to Broomes, she and her colleagues will continue to protest because they believe justice was not served when the police dropped the case on the advice of Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, Director or Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Dharamlall is accused of raping and sodomising a minor and forcing her to have oral sex. The 16-year student, who is from the indigenous community, was part of an Indigenous pageant last year and sponsored by Dharamlall’s ministry, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. The incident reportedly occurred last December.
Broomes felt the entire handling of the allegation was to ensure justice was not served and DPP’s decision was expected. She, however believes, the decision has denied, hopefully temporarily, Dharamlall from having “his day in court and defending himself in court like anybody else because [the state] has not charged this man.”
In conversation with this publication, the former minister made known the lawmakers are disrespectful to the law and people. These persons, she said, include government officials of the People’s Progressive Party, the DPP and Police
“This is a matter of national interest not just an allegation levelled against someone out there; it is a sitting minister of government holding responsibilities for a big ministry, who interfaced with young children (boys and girls) in the communities.”
Last evening President Irfaan Ali announced Dharamlall submitted his resignation as minister and member of parliament and he has accepted them.
Broomes vowed the protest will continue until justice is served for the minor. “The DPP’s decision is not our decision to stop the protest. The so-called conclusion to the matter doesn’t mean this matter is done for us.”
Whilst the circumstances have frustrated her, she made known the said circumstances will not stop her from going forward. To this end she is among those who have spearheaded a protest this morning at Cuffy Square, Georgetown to keep the matter alive, “until justice is served.”
