Ramesh: Grave injustice to Panday

Panday was sentenced to two years hard labour by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls at Port-of- Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

“Ordinary citizens are given bail while their appeals are pending, but Mr Panday’s lawyers had to go to the Appeal Court after the verdict to wrangle for it,” he said.

“It’s a grave injustice that this was done to a man who served as Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. It’s a travesty of justice.”

Maharaj then declared: “This is not only an attack on Mr Panday. It is an attack on every individual in TT. This is not Mr Panday’s issue. This is an issue for everybody.”

Maharaj said he met with Panday inside the court and when asked what was the Opposition Leader’s mood, he replied, “Mr Panday is Mr Panday.”

UNC Political Leader Winston Dookeran, was noticeably absent at court yesterday. But a man shouted after news of the judgment, “Dookeran would be boss now! Now we will see democracy in the UNC! Dookeran will make a change. He can come through Laventille now. Is God who do that.”

Chaguanas Deputy Mayor Orlando Nagasser, who waited for hours outside the court in the rain for Panday to emerge, said the verdict was “most disappointing.”

“I never thought McNicolls would have been so harsh. But he has proven what we thought, that they’re out to get Panday.”

President of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union Rudy Indarsingh, said the sentencing reeked of “political persecution.”

Tears flowed freely from some female supporters of Panday. Joy Winn of Duncan Street in Port-of- Spain, caressed the black window of the vehicle which whisked Panday away.

Another added: “They try all how to break Bas neck. They take away the sugar industry, and now this. But this still wouldn’t break him. It would make the party stronger.”