Policeman wins case

Ramsundar is the husband of PNM government senator Allyson Baksh. His legal team was led by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC.

Judgment was entered into before Justice David Harris when the Commissioner of Police admitted that the Police Service made an error when it awarded Ramsundar the wrong marks for the English Language component of the police promotion examinations. As a result of the concession by the State, Ramsundar will now have to be awarded his correct marks which will increase his ranking on the order of merit list for promotion to the rank of Sergeant.

While the case was pending before the High Court, the process for a new round of promotions to the rank of Inspector had started.

Ramlogan made an application to the court for his client to be allowed to participate in the promotion process for further elevation to the rank of Inspector.

He argued that it would be unfair for Ramsundar to be denied the opportunity in light of the concession that he had been awarded the wrong marks.

Ramlogan pointed out that once the correct marks were awarded, it was clear that Ramsundar was bypassed for promotion and he should not be made to suffer any further loss of future promotion because of the delay in rectifying the error.

Ramlogan also contended that it would have been unfair for his client to suffer any erosion in his seniority as this would affect his entitlement to acting appointments and could be held against him in future promotions. As a result, the Commissioner agreed to promote Ramsundar with retroactive effect to the rank of police sergeant in accordance with his correct placement on the order of merit list.

In his claim, filed on January 12, Ramsundar said he had obtained a distinction in English Language at O’levels and was entitled to be awarded the maximum 35 marks. He, instead, was wrongly awarded 27.5 points. Although he pointed out the error to the police administration, he said nothing was done.

Ramsundar said having given 25 years of service as a police officer, he was disappointed, frustrated and depressed over the way he was treated as he had a genuine grievance and was trying to avoid litigation that would bring the Police Service into disrepute.

He also wanted to avoid the possibility of prejudice in his quest for further promotions in the future that could result from him taking legal action against the Commissioner of Police.

Also representing Ramsundar were Jayanti Lutchmedial and Alana Rambaran. The State was represented by attorneys Monica Smith, Brenston Francois and Ryanka Ragbir.