Dhansook talks taped

Peterson told Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court that in the transcript, Dhansook told Khan that he was not getting enough contracts and would put him “under the gun” for additional contracts.

Peterson said that in light of the transcript, he wanted the magistrate to postpone yesterday’s hearing to another date, in order to further investigate the transcript. Peterson is defending Khan who is before the court charged with six fraud offences. Khan is accused of accepting cheques as bribes to secure Dhansook contracts for labour, security and transport for Terra Seis Limited — a company engaged in seismic surveys in the eastern peninsular.

When the case was called yesterday, Peterson told Wellington that lead prosecutor, Peter Thornton, QC, had on Monday provided him with the transcript of a conversation between Dhansook, Khan and other persons. But Thornton yesterday objected to the postponement, saying that the transcript did not relate to the charges against Khan. “If it is relevant it may go to credit and credit alone,” Thornton told Wellington. He added the prosecution did not intend to lead it in its evidence-in-chief.

Peterson, however, argued that the transcript was substantial to Khan’s defence. Thornton countered that it was important for their main witness, Dhansook, to give evidence soon.

Thornton suggested to Wellington that he begin yesterday’s hearing with Dhansook’s evidence-in-chief. “I did not bring him (Dhansook) here because of the application but he is a telephone call away. I can have him here in two hours.”

Wellington told the attorneys that he could not start the matter yesterday because he had on-going part-heard cases. The magistrate said he would be on leave from October 5 to November 14, but suggested that the inquiry start on the November 15. Attorneys on both sides agreed.