Attorney Nirvan Singh, who is accused of verbally abusing a police constable with racist remarks while she was performing guard duties at his father’s residence, was charged on Wednesday.
Singh, 35, of Middle and Cummings streets, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in a city court where he denied the private criminal charge that on March 20, 2022, at Middle and Cummings streets, he made derogatory and racial remarks to Police Constable Shawnette Bollers while she was on duty at his father’s residence, where he also resided.
According to the charge, Singh, by means of words spoken in a public place, willfully excited and or attempted to excite hostility and ill-will against the complainant on the ground of her race as an Afro-Guyanese, by using words directed to her and published by him.
The court heard that on the day in question, between 21:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs, Singh became upset upon arrival at the residence of his father, retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh, and chased Bollers out of the compound and the place of her work.
The attorney was granted bail in the sum of $100,000 by the Chief Magistrate on the condition that he is not to make any contact with Bollers by any means or have anyone contact the woman.
Singh will make his next court appearance on May 18, 2022 for substantial disclosure.
Singh was represented by attorneys George Thomas and Damien DaSilva, among others and they argued that in light of him having no convictions and due to his strong ties to society, bail should be granted.
Bail was subsequently granted.
The Racial Hostility Act states that any person found guilty of the excitement of racial hostility shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $65,000 as well as to imprisonment for two years. It also provides that the convict would be disqualified from holding a number of offices, including that of a Member of Parliament.
Bollers has filed a defamation suit against the attorney. In her statement of claim, she has said that while on duty at Justice Singh’s Middle and Cummings streets, Georgetown residence on the night of March 20, his son (the Defendant), approached and chased her off the property.
She said that the incident occurred at approximately 22:13 hrs that night and she was forced to immediately abandon her post and duties, having to walk for a couple of miles to another location “in the dark of night alone.”
Bollers also said that Singh in a “loud and aggressive” manner berated her for about quarter of an hour, then began using a series of defamatory words and racist expressions.
Singh, who broke his silence earlier this month, said in a statement that the racist conduct that he was accused of in no way reflects his philosophy or personal values, and as he was awaiting the court to properly determine the matter, he was remaining respectful and faithful to his values.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) remained silent on the matter until Singh broke his silence. The acting Top Cop Clifton Hicken subsequently said that the GPF was investigating the assault and was awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the way forward in the matter.
