The trial into the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) stolen transformer case was yesterday adjourned until December 20 after defence lawyers indicated to the court that they could not return in the afternoon.
The defendants and three prosecution witnesses were present when the matter was called twice yesterday morning in Court Three of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Magistrate Fazil Azeez interrupted the hearing of another matter as one of the defence counsel, Sonia Parag, was about to leave the court room. At that moment another defence counsel, attorney at law Hukumchand arrived.
The magistrate told the lawyers that the matter he was hearing would go on for some time and indicated that he could hear the case some time in the afternoon.
Both counsel indicated that they had other commitments and could not return at any time during the afternoon.
The court was then informed by the prosecutor that three GPL employees were present to give their evidence.
The magistrate before adjourning the matter said, “I am prepared to work this afternoon but counsel can’t make it. I will have to arrange a date for the matter to continue.”
After consulting with the lawyers the matter was adjourned and the magistrate instructed the defendants, Ganesh Ramlall, the owner of Regent Multiplex Mall, Davin Jones and Rajesh Sanchara along with the witnesses to return on December 20.
When the matter was called on November 6, the magistrate set yesterday as the peremptory date after none of the almost 20 witnesses showed up.
The magistrate advised the prosecutor to either ensure that witnesses are present on the adjourned date.
It is alleged that between October 27 and November 17, 2008 the trio conspired with other persons to steal one KVA transformer belonging to GPL valued at $4,140,000. The transformer was stolen from the GPL Sophia location and was found installed at the then newly built Regent Multiplex mall at the corner of Wellington and Regent streets.
