Minister Deodat Indar, Junior Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, is once again turning to the courts to defend his reputation, this time seeking a staggering $60 million in damages from former Georgetown Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine. The lawsuit follows comments made by Narine on social media, where he questioned the Minister’s silence following the tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge. The lawsuit adds to a troubling pattern of legal actions initiated by the Minister against critics, which many see as an attempt to silence alternative views and avoid scrutiny.
The Case Against Narine
The legal proceedings stem from a Facebook post published by Narine on April 28, 2025, in which he expressed concern over the silence of government officials in the wake of the tragic discovery of Younge’s body near a pool at the Double Day Hotel, located in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. His commentary was carried, as a letter to the editor by other media houses, including this publication.
Narine questioned why Minister Indar had not addressed what he described as an “allegation” of a potential conflict of interest involving the minister and the hotel’s ownership.
In his post, Narine pointedly challenged the minister to address public perceptions, which he described as “unacceptable,” particularly in light of rumours about the minister’s potential ties to the hotel and media houses allegedly pushing a particular narrative. The former mayor’s words were not definitive accusations, but an invitation for the minister to clear his name.
“Allegation” is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “an unproved statement or assertion, especially one in an accusation.”
In his post, Narine also expressed frustration that key government officials, such as Indar, had “retreated into the shadows” while “allegations of conflict of interest and misinformation swirled around them.” Rather than addressing these concerns publicly, Minister Indar has now resorted to legal action, seeking both compensatory and aggravated damages, as well as a public apology from Narine.
A Pattern of Defamation Lawsuits
This lawsuit is not an isolated incident. Minister Indar has a history of using the courts to target critics. Last August, he filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against social media activist Melissa Ann Atwell, known as ‘Melly Mel,’ and Opposition Parliamentarian Sherod Duncan. The lawsuit was based on statements made during a Facebook Live session where the two accused Indar of corruption in relation to the awarding of public contracts.
Some analysts are questioning whether the Minister’s use of the courts is a deliberate tactic to intimidate and silence those who dare to criticise him.
One political analyst described Indar as “thin-skinned” and suggested that such actions are not suited for a public official, saying, “If you can’t handle the heat, maybe you should get out of the kitchen. Politics isn’t for the faint-hearted.” The analyst further pointed out that if President Forbes Burnham had taken legal action against critics, even posthumously, he would have been “a very wealthy man,” given the volume of criticism he faced, much of which continues to circulate even decades after his death.
Public Scrutiny: The Growing Wealth of Government Officials
In addition to the Minister’s legal battles, there is increasing public concern over the growing wealth of many government officials. The public is becoming increasingly aware that many politicians, before entering office, were from modest backgrounds. Yet, during their time in power, some of these officials have amassed substantial wealth through means that extend far beyond their official salaries.
It is now widely known that certain members of the government have been unashamedly engaging in conspicuous consumption—driving luxury cars, building multi-million-dollar properties, and acquiring businesses—all while their official income remains far below the means necessary to support such lifestyles.
The pattern of newfound wealth has led to accusations of corruption, cronyism, and conflicts of interest. Minister Indar himself has faced allegations of such improprieties. Luxury cars, high-end properties, and business ventures are just some of the visible signs of wealth that many of these individuals have acquired, leading to growing suspicions about the sources of their newfound fortunes.
The Minister and allegation of conflict of interest?
Indar, in particular, has been the subject of such scrutiny, with questions raised about his business dealings and potential conflicts of interest. Earlier this year, the Alliance For Change (AFC) called for a full explanation from Indar regarding his ties to Western Logistics, a private company.
In February 2025, AFC leader, Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes revealed that a former employee of Western Logistics had provided three months’ worth of bank statements showing salary payments made from Indar’s personal account to the employee while he was serving as a government minister.
“This is direct evidence that the minister was making salary payments to an employee of a private company while serving in government,” Hughes stated, calling for an explanation of whether Indar’s actions violated conflict-of-interest regulations. “The public deserves to know why a sitting minister was personally handling payroll for a private business.”
Indar has not yet publicly addressed the AFC’s concerns, further fueling suspicions about his involvement with private businesses while holding a prominent government position.
Legal Action and Social Media Scrutiny
Indar’s fixation on critics with sizable social media followings, including Narine’s 28,000 followers, Opposition MP Sherod Duncan’s 123,000 and Atwell’s 125,000, has raised eyebrows. Observers have noted that the Minister seems especially focused on silencing voices with substantial online platforms, possibly to limit the spread of critical narratives and curb public dissent.
“These are people with significant reach,” said one media analyst. “Duncan, Atwell, and Narine have considerable influence online, and Indar’s fixation on them may suggest that the Minister wants to keep any negative commentary from spreading to wider audiences.”
This trend of suing individuals who command large social media followings, and widespread reach, highlights a growing political risk in Guyana, where online platforms have become a battleground for public opinion.
Narine’s Response
In response to Minister Indar’s lawsuit, Pt. Ubraj Narine has stated that he has yet to receive any official court documents regarding the matter. He has vowed that once legal documents are served, his team will address the issue accordingly.
