His co-defendant Constable Mohanram Dolai had been read the same charge on November 23, when Lall was absent from court. Dolai, who was remanded on that occasion, was taken to court by prison officials late, long after Lall had appeared. However, both men were granted bail in the sum of $300,000 each.
Their lawyer Hukumchand was successful after he pleaded that his clients both had unblemished records and had never been charged with any offence prior to the current one. He made reference to recommendations coming out of the recent crime conference that first offenders should not be jailed and said this argument could logically be extended to persons who were being charged for the first time. He did not say that the two accused were first offenders as inaccurately reported yesterday.
This newspaper had also incorrectly reported that Lall and Dolai had faced a new charge when they appeared on Monday.
The two accused will next appear at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on December 15.
