Cops with warrant

POLICE REPORTS last night indicated officers carried out a raid at the office of the Chief Justice Sat Sharma at the Hall of Justice at 4 pm. The officers had a warrant signed by a magistrate and reportedly took away documents.

Sources said Gary Kelly, Administrative Officer at the CJ’s Office, was informed by the police that they had a warrant to carry out the search. The search lasted less than 30 minutes. Reports also indicated four other judges were interviewed by the police.

This is the latest development in the controversy involving Sharma. Following a complaint from Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls that Sharma had attempted to influence the outcome of the recent Basdeo Panday trial, Prime Minister Patrick Manning referred this complaint to the Attorney General who in turn sent it to the police for further investigations.

Manning has also indicated action may be pursued to have the Chief Justice removed from office. One of Sharma’s attorneys, Desmond Allum last night condemned the searching of Sharma’s office while he, Sharma, is out of the country.

ACP Wellington Virgil who is spearheading the investigations, was hospitalised on Wednesday at the St Clair Medical Centre when he suffered injuries to one of his legs.