Head of ECD released from police custody

Judge Rewita Chatterpal on Tuesday granted the request for the release of Inspector Edith R, head of the Economic Control Department (ECD). The request had been filed by defense attorneys Raoul Lobo and Benito Pick. ER had been arrested along with Inspector Eric M, Sureshdew J and Khamraj R. The judge made it clear, however, that the female inspector from the ECD must be present in court when her case is being handled. If she fails to appear in court, she risks going back to jail.

The judge explained to Edith R that if her prison sentence is higher than the time she has already spent in police custody, she will be arrested again. The judge also made it crystal clear that the defendant is not allowed to make contact with her accomplices.

Edith R insists that she never accepted any bribes. Reports indicate that all five suspects have been released from police custody. Defendant Khamraj R on Tuesday did not appear in court. The fifth suspect, Ivan B, had not been summoned to appear in court. The prosecutor reportedly asked the court for more time to summon Ivan B. This is why the prosecution did not present its case against the other defendants.

Eric M, Sureshdew J and Khamraj R will reportedly testify against Edith R at the next session.

Lobo and Pick pointed out that Edith R was arrested on September 21. Sureshdew J and Khamraj R were also arrested. When the ECD inspectors carried out a raid at the company of Sureshdew J. SJ then talked to Edith R. Edith R told the man to come to her office to settle the case. She also made it clear that she could not be bought. Sureshdew J then called Khamraj R who has a few acquaintances in the police force.

Khamraj R then called Inspector Eric M who then called Edith R. There are no witnessed who can testify that Edith R had accepted money from Khamraj R. Khamraj R initially told the police that he had paid Edith R SRD 160,000. He then claimed that he had given her a bribe of SRD 120,000 and that he had spent SRD 40,000 for his own company.

Sureshdew J had allegedly given SRD 160,000 to Khamraj R. The defense team pointed out that there is no verification that the money was paid. According to the defense, there is nobody who can support the statement of Khamraj R. The trial will resume on January 15.