Attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva, who represented Devanand Singh, the businessman who assaulted and abused his daughter during last month is no longer a defence counsel in the case.
Da Silva has since written to Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, the prosecutor and the counsel representing the virtual complainant indicating his position.
The letter which was seen by Stabroek News is dated May 6th, 2022 and addressed to Magistrate Daly’s clerk.
“I respectfully request that my name be removed from the record as Defense Counsel in the said matter. Certain ethical and other considerations, have influenced my decision to wholly withdraw and discontinue all further involvement in this matter. I have since informed the defendant; and, by copy of this letter, the substantive Prosecutor, and Counsel on record as watching the virtual complainant interest, are also simultaneously informed,” Da Silva stated in the letter.
“I do trust that your worship grant my request; as I do apologize for any inconvenience caused,” he added.
Da Silva is the second attorney to withdraw from representing Singh since the incident occurred.
On April 11, Magistrate Daly had granted a permanent restraining order to the woman against her father, who she alleged assaulted and abused her for a number of years.
The court had also ordered Singh to give his daughter all of her personal belongings.
The matter was adjourned to yesterday for report and disclosure.
The incident was captured on CCTV footage which the young woman was able to secure to support her claims.
In the footage viewed by this newspaper, Singh could be seen slapping, cuffing and kicking the complainant.
At one point, he pushed her and kicked her into what appear to be clothes racks in his store. A firearm could be seen tucked in his waistband.
The victim’s brother eventually intervened but this did not stop the man from wanting to continue assaulting her.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement had said that on March 28th, the victim filed a report in which she alleged that Singh assaulted her on March 25 at his Kitty business place.
As a result, the police added, an investigation was launched and the businessman was arrested on March 31. His licensed firearms were subsequently seized, the police said.
The following day, Singh was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm and threatening language. He denied the charges and was released on $400,000 bail.
