Attorney General Anil Nandlall yesterday issued a statement saying that a comment by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon approving of the promotion of two policemen accused of torture, pertained to the process and not the merits of the decision.
Nandlall’s statement appeared to be an attempt to limit fallout from the view that the government supports the decision to promote the two policemen.
The promotion of Sergeant Lall and Constable Dulai who were held culpable for torturing a boy in the Leonora Police Station has triggered a public outcry.
Lall was promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC) and Dulai by acting Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud.
Earlier this week at a press briefing, Luncheon said Cabinet approved of the promotion by the PSC of the police officer found liable in the torturing of the boy in 2009. Luncheon said, “I think there was a satisfaction with the commission’s contention that the law had taken its course… The disciplinary actions had been implemented and there was no need to deny… these policemen promotion.”
He said Cabinet’s approval was based on the PSC’s satisfaction that the matter was concluded. Luncheon told the media that “… The two policemen were no longer subjected or subject to disciplinary or legal challenges for the torture charges that were laid against them. It is understood that the commission acted from that perspective in going ahead.”
Luncheon stated that prior to the torture, Lall had a “superb” record. He echoed the sentiments of the PSC which had stated that Lall had an “unblemished record” prior to the torture.
Nandlall’s statement yesterday said: “The notion… being peddled in some sections of the media that the Government participated, authorized or concurred with these promotions are simply without any foundation. The view of the Government expressed through Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, related to the procedure in respect of the promotions and was not a comment in respect of the merits or demerits of the promotions. In short, It was confined to the decision making process and not the decision.”