State closes case in kidnapping PI

The two sisters ages nine and 14, were discovered in a van in Barrackpore and were rescued by police officers.

Surajbally, of Lothians Road, Princes Town, was charged in May under the Children’s Act, with kidnapping, indecent assault and giving alcohol to minors.

The preliminary inquiry into the charges began before Senior Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan in the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court in which State Attorney Sarah De Silva is prosecuting and had called the two children to give evidence.

They were cross-examined by Surajbally’s attorney Pamela Elder SC, instructed by attorney Owen Hinds Jr.

De Silva also called the children’s mother as a witness, as well as medical doctor Clem Ragoobar. Three police officers, including the complainant, PC Alcala, also testified for the prosecution. On Monday, De Silva recalled Alcala for re-examination then informed Rambachan that the prosecution had closed its case.

The inquiry was conducted via paper committal in a hybrid form in which some witness statements were sworn and filed and given to the defence attorneys to determine whether they wanted the witnesses to be called for cross-examination.

Surajbally is on $300,000 bail and had secured bail in the High Court before a judge in Chambers.

The State and the defence attorneys would make legal submissions to Rambachan on January 3 following which he is expected to give a ruling on whether the State has made out a prima facie case to either commit Surajbally to stand trial before a judge and jury, or discharge him.