AG, Subhas cross swords over Vijay Naraynsingh

Speaking during debate on amendments to the Indictable Offences Bill 2005 in the House of Representatives yesterday, Panday charged that the DPP should not get the increased powers being proposed in the legislation because of the manner in which he handled recent legal proceedings involving Naraynsingh. Charging that the Naraynsingh matter proved that the PNM had compromised the independence of the DPP as enshrined in Section 90 of the Constitution, Panday accused the DPP of being swift on some matters but slow on others, especially where allegations were made against the Government.

Panday also claimed that Government had omitted kidnapping as an indictable offence in the legislation.

In response, Jeremie said the population must never forget that at the centre of matters which involved Naraynsingh was "a woman (Dr) Chandra Naraynsingh" who is dead (murdered in 1994). "She was shot by a man that she had never met, that she did not know and who voluntarily told the police what his version of the facts was," the AG added, to thunderous desk-thumping from the Government benches.

Professor Vijay Naraynsingh, a vascular surgeon, was originally charged with the murder of his first wife, Dr Chandra Naraynsingh, but was discharged by the magistrate at the preliminary inquiry.

The DPP later sought to have Naraynsingh recharged for the offence, but when the papers were filed they were immediately struck out by High Court judge, Justice Herbert Volney.

Jeremie criticised Panday for trying to personalise his attacks against the DPP, and reminded him that "the actions taken by the Office of the DPP in relation to that matter span two office holders (Mark Mohammed and Geoffrey Henderson)." Mohammed is now a justice of the High Court.

Jeremie’s contribution was interrupted by shouts from the Opposition benches, but Deputy Speaker Hedwidge Bereaux quickly restored order to the Chamber.

Once calm returned to the sitting, the AG concluded his discourse on the Naraynsingh matter by saying, "The police did their job, the separate directors who held the Office of DPP, Mr Justice Mark Mohammed and Mr Henderson, did theirs. That is all I wish to say on that."

Jeremie also indicated that kidnapping is included as an indictable offence in the legislation under the section which deals with assault. "If assault is an offence of a violent nature, then obviously kidnapping must be," the AG said.