On the 4th May, 2011, Anthony Vieira hosted a commentary aired on C.N.S. Channel 6 in which several defamatory statements concerning Bishop Juan Anthony Edghill, the incumbent Minister of Public Works, were published, aired and broadcasted.
As a result, on the 17th of May, 2011, Edghill filed a lawsuit against Anthony Vieira and Chandra Narine Sharma, trading under the name and style of C.N.S. Channel 6 for the defamation which seriously damaged his reputation and caused him tremendous distress, embarrassment, public humiliation and ridicule.
The High Court Action was instituted and prosecuted by Manoj Narayan and Chandanie Dyal, Attorneys-at-Law, of the law firm Mohabir A. Nandlall & Associates, Bhagwati Chambers, on behalf of Edghill.
The trial was conducted before the Honourable Justice Gino Persaud, who delivered judgment on March 14, 2024. The Judge ordered:
1. that Anthony Vieira is liable in defamation for libel published by him on the 4th May, 2011, concerning Edghill;
2. that Anthony Vieira do compensate Edghill in the sum of $15,000,000 being compensatory damages;
3. that Chandra Narine Sharma, trading under the name and style of C.N.S. Channel 6 who is also liable for airing the libelous commentary do compensate Edghill in the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) being nominal damages since an apology and retraction was published and re-broadcasted and repeated and the said commentary was taken off air after being aired only once;
4. that both Anthony Vieira and Chandra Narine Sharma pay to Edghill costs in the sum of $250,000 each;
5. that a permanent injunction is granted restraining the Defendants by themselves, servants and/or agents from repeating or republishing the said or similar libel of or concerning the Plaintiff.
Despite the lengthy time taken for the conclusion of the case, Edghill said he is satisfied and vindicated with the ruling of the Court and intends to ensure that all steps are taken to enforce the terms of the said Orders of Court.
