Attorney General Anil Nandlall plans to appeal a recent ruling by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang that concluded that the paper committals process under the Sexual Offences Act is inconsistent with the constitution because it does not allow accused persons to cross-examine witnesses at the preliminary inquiry stage.
As a result of the ruling, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack has advised the Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to adjourn all sexual offences matters for which paper committals are being conducted, until a stay of execution of the decision is granted.
In a brief statement to Stabroek News, Ali-Hack said Nandlall has been instructed to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal for and for a