The charges against former Director of Sport and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Neil Kumar, and Raphael Boodhoo for breaching COVID-19 measures have been dismissed.
This was after the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence against the men. As a result, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly dismissed the matter on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
On May 21, 2020, Kumar and Boodhoo were charged and each released on $25,000 bail after police alleged they breached certain COVID-19 gazetted measures, as it relates to social distancing.
Kumar and Boodhoo had both pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on May 16, 2020, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Road, Georgetown, they breached No 2 (1) restriction on social activities in the COVID-19 emergency measures by hosting a meeting of a fraternal civic organization.
Kumar’s lawyer, Glen Hanoman is reported as saying that his client was peacefully protesting the Government’s misuse of COVID-19 measures to deny the Carter Centre and International Republican Institute (IRI), from observing the national recount of all ballots cast in the March 2, General and Regional Elections.
The lawyer had said it was while protesting the misuse of COVID-19 measures, the Government abused powers to arrest his client and others.
The lawyer further stated that at the time of the peaceful picketing, his client and others wore masks and stood at appropriate distances.
Police officers were then called to the location and instructed the persons to leave. Some persons refused to leave and the police were forced to arrest and charge them.
