Cop hit as prisoners protest court delay

PANDEMONIUM broke out at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court yesterday when prisoners protested that their cases were being postponed to favour the court hearing of the preliminary inquiry into the murder of Dr Chandra Naraynsingh. A policeman was struck when protests erupted in the dock of the San Fernando First Police Court, as accused persons waiting for their matters to be called defied police orders to go to the holding bay cells downstairs the courthouse. Police officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch, Crime Suppression Unit, San Fernando CID and Court and Process Departments rushed into the dock and cellblock to quell the noisy prisoners.

Policemen of the Special Branch, who were on duty  guarding witnesses in the inquiry hearing, had to assist. The drama began at 10.15 am in the First Court, when 15 prisoners in the dock were ordered into the holding bay cells in the basement of the Magistrates’ Court. The prisoners shouted to  Magistrate Wellington they were fed-up of their cases being hastily postponed. Some prisoners complained that their relatives were not allowed to occupy the public gallery because the courtroom was occupied by relatives and friends of murder accused Professor Vijay Naraynsingh, wife Seeromanie and businessman Elton Ramasir.