Prosecutor has ‘severe illness’
By Samantha Alleyne
Stabroek News
October 3, 2002
Owing to the illness of the Special Prosecutor for the DPP, Sanjeev Datadin the Preliminary Inquiry into the charge of treason laid against Mark Benschop and Phillip Bynoe has been adjourned until Monday.
Magistrate Chandra Sohan, who is presiding over the matter, granted an adjournment after receiving a letter from the prosecutor and a medical report related to his health.
However, after an adjournment of one week - since last Wednesday - the magistrate, prompted by applications by the defence, has set next Monday as the peremptory date for a continuance.
The letter from Datadin, dated September 29, was read out in open court by lead counsel for Benschop’s defence, Basil Williams. It stated that Datadin had been suffering from severe illness. “I have advised the DPP of my predicament and trust that they will take the necessary steps to facilitate the smooth conduct of this matter,” Datadin was quoted as stating.
This, along with the medical, drew objections by the defence, who questioned the authenticity of the document and a subsequent message from the prosecutor, requesting a stay until next Monday. Williams drew the court’s attention to the fact that the report was sketchy in identifying just what Datadin is suffering from. The magistrate refused to discharge the matter on an application by the defence.
The grounds for the application by the defence were the abuse of the process of the court and the breach of assurances given by the prosecution to have the matter proceed in a speedy manner.
Further, attorney Roysdale Forde, another member of Benschop’s team, reported that he had seen Datadin at the High Court on Tuesday afternoon.
The magistrate, noting that both men were officers of the court, said he did not
expect either man to attempt to mislead the court.
Meanwhile, with reference to what he described as grossly incorrect and irresponsible reporting in Kaieteur News, the magistrate said he would bar any media house which engaged in misleading the public.