The preliminary inquiry in the witness tampering charges against Ravi Mangar and Mark Reid commenced yesterday before Magistrate Geeta Chandan Edmond.
However, the commencement was not without its share of drama as Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin arrived late to the court, much to the annoyance of Magistrate Edmond. The magistrate explained that she had received a letter from Datadin stating that he was going to be late. However, as time passed and his whereabouts could not be accounted for, she said that it appeared that the prosecutor was making a mockery of the court.
Edmond said that she has been very lenient with the state and the behaviour showcased was highly inexcusable. She added that there seemed to be no regard or respect for the court.
Co-counsel for Chandra Narine Sharma Vic Puran seized the opportunity to make an application for the case to be dismissed. Attorney Mark Waldron then said that he endorsed the application of Puran and asked the magistrate to dismiss the case for the want of prosecution.
However, within a few minutes Datadin made his appearance in the courtroom and said that he was ready to proceed with the case against Mangar and Reid. When asked by Waldron if his application was denied, Magistrate Edmond responded that she was strongly contemplating it.
The case against Sharma and CNS employee Tyrone Ali was put down for July 8.
Gizmos and Gadgets owner Mangar and security guard Reid were charged with attempting to disrupt the course of justice by offering $2M and a house lot to the girls at the centre of the sexual molestation case against Sharma. They were each placed on $100,000 bail when they made their first court appearance.
When the PI commenced, one of the police officers in the matter gave his testimony and was cross examined by Puran and Waldron. The PI continues on July 1 when the other witnesses in the matter are expected to give their evidence.
The obstruction charges against Sharma, Mangar, Reid and three others all stem from a charge of carnal knowledge against Sharma. A 13—year-old girl has accused the broadcaster of sexually molesting her; the PI into that charge is being heard before Magistrate Susana Lovell in Court two.
On Wednesday, when the matter was called up, it was adjourned until July 20 because the virtual complainant in the matter complained of feeling unwell as such the magistrate granted the adjournment.