3 police officers were wrong, a judge says

Justice Carol Gobin ruled in favour of Suresh and Tarikha Sohan, who occupied property at Forres Park, Claxton Bay, with the permission of Tarikha’s grandmother, who was a tenant of Caroni (1975) Ltd. The couple lived in the property for decades before their uncle began to claim an interest in it.

In August 2014, the couple’s uncle, Ramkissoon Bhall, retained private bailiff Ramkarran Ramparas, who demolished the Sohans’ home.

The house was completely destroyed, they said in their lawsuit.

Police were also present at the time.

The couple filed proceedings against their uncle, the bailiff and the Attorney General, claiming damages for trespass and declarations that the bailiff acted illegally. The claim against the AG related to the alleged illegal acts of the police officers, who, the couple claims, assisted in the illegal demolition of their home.

At the trial, the Sohans’ uncle and the bailiff conceded that they were liable for trespass.

The State maintained that the police were only present during the demolition to ensure there was no breach of the peace and played no part in the demolition.

In her ruling, Gobin found the testimony of the police officers to be inconsistent and ruled that they acted together with the bailiff and intimidated the couple with their large weapons, abusing their power.

Damages for the couple are to be assessed.