Ramsaran to face charge over Nageer abuse
The Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP) Shalimar Ali- Hack has advised the police to charge former health minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran for verbally abusing rights activist Sherlina Nageer and according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum the top PPP official could make his first court appearance as early as today.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that a file with the recommendation was returned to the police on July 22 just one day after it had reached the chambers. It is unclear why there was a delay in placing Ramsaran, who was sacked for his actions, before the court.
Contacted yesterday Blanhum said that the police had received advice to charge him in relation to allegations that were made by Nageer. He did not specify what those allegations were and did not reveal what the charge/s for Ramsaran would be.
He said that he is to be charged and placed before the court either today or tomorrow with the first being the most likely date.
This newspaper has since learnt that the first calling of the matter will take place at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.
This revelation comes hours after former public service minister Dr. Jennifer Westford was charged for her alleged involvement in a vehicle transfer plot. Yesterday, the PPP said that it had taken note of the pressure being put on the DPP by the government to charge its members as well as the courts and the police being used to persecute. The DPP has since denied the claim stating that in addition to it being an independent office, its recommendation of criminal charges is based on statements contained in police files and the law.
On April 20, Ramsaran was recorded verbally abusing Nageer, saying he would slap her for the fun of it and have her stripped in a public place.
Ramsaran had journeyed to Whim to support former president Bharrat Jagdeo, who was expected to attend the court to answer a private criminal charge filed against him by attorney at law Christopher Ram. The confrontation occurred after the minister labelled Ram a “wife beater” while being interviewed by reporters. Nageer interjected and proceeded to confront him about the deaths of women and children in the health care system under his watch.
At this point Ramsaran could be heard calling Nageer a “piece of shit” and an “idiot” before asking her to get out of his face.
After the recording of the exchange between the minister and Nageer began circulating in the public, Ramsaran issued an apology in which he claimed to have been provoked into anger and uttered harsh words which he regretted. However, the day after, the minister was recorded at a health forum calling Nageer a “miscreant,” accusing her of spitting on him and saying she was in need of psychiatric help.
After the first episode, Nageer made a report to the police. In her statement which was filed with the Crime Chief on April 27, she said that at one point during the confrontation she felt threatened by Ramsaran, as it appeared as though he wanted to hit her.
On the heels of condemnation by the western missions and local civil society organisations, then president Donald Ramotar fired Ramsaran but did not hint as whether his government or party planned to take any further action against him.
Members of the party had spoken out against him although a PPP statement argued that his actions were blown out of proportion. Ramsaran has been included in his party’s list for parliament.