An East Coast Demerara man has filed a $50 million lawsuit against government for injuries he allegedly sustained at the hands of ranks at the Vigilance Police Station in December last year.
Through attorney Anil Nandlall, Premchand (only name) of Lot 125 Strathspey is seeking in excess of $10 million in damages for breach of his fundamental right and freedom to personal liberty as guaranteed by Article 139 of the Constitution; in excess of $10 million in damages for false imprisonment; in excess of $10 million in damages for breach of his fundamental right and freedom not to be subjected to torture or to inhumane or degrading punishment as guaranteed by Article 141 of the Constitution; in excess of $10 million in damages for assault, battery and personal injuries sustained; in excess of $10 million in exemplary damages; and such further and other orders the court may issue as well as writs and such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of Article 138 to 151 inclusive in the Constitution.
Premchand is listed as the claimant while the Attorney General is listed as the defendant.
According to the statement of claim, Premchand, 49, of Strathspey, is the sole financial provider for his son who is a minor.
It states that on December 26th, 2018, pursuant to a report made by his common law wife to the Vigilance Police Station regarding the alleged abusive behaviour of Premchand, he was arrested at his home by ranks of the Vigilance Police Station and was taken into custody at the station.
At the time of his arrest, it adds, he bore no injuries of any sort, and though intoxicated, was in good health and was able to walk and use his arms and legs with normalcy.
According to the statement, “Upon arrival at Vigilance Police Station, three Police ranks commenced beating the Claimant about his body; one of the officers hit him in the head with his gun several times, as a result he fell to the ground; whilst on the ground they kicked him and stamped on his back until he lost consciousness.”
It adds that on the following morning he regained consciousness and found himself in the station’s lockup and was experiencing pain. Shortly after, Premchand claims, one of the three officers entered the cell and began slapping and cuffing him in the face, while demanding that he remain quite as he was groaning in pain.
The statement says that during the course of that day, Premchand was taken by police officers to a hospital at Nabaclis and then to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where medical tests were done. An X-ray examination was conducted at Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.
“By this time, the Claimant was unable to walk and continued to experience tremendous pain in his head and about his body,” the statement further says, while adding that Premchand was released from police custody on bail on December 29th, 2018. “As a result of the physical condition of the Claimant and the injuries observed on his head and about his body, the Claimant was rushed to the Woodlands Hospital, Georgetown, where he underwent a brain surgery to effect the removal of blood clots from his brain. Additionally, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan, an X-ray examination and a Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan were also done,” according to the statement, which adds that he was hospitalised for 13 days.
The statement of claim notes that $2.06 million was spent on medical expenses, $20,000 on food and nourishment, $50,000 on transportation and loss of income amounted to $6,000 per day.
