Lack of evidence weakens prosecution in alleged abduction case |29 October 2020

The Supreme Court yesterday listened to evidence of investigating officer Davis Simeon in the ongoing case of alleged abduction and causing grievous harm, an incident which happened in the Port Glaud district on November 2, 2019.

The seven accused – six men and a woman – allegedly conspired to lure their victim into a car on his way to work, before physically assaulting him.

In their defence, legal representatives Alexia Amesbury and Leslie Boniface stressed on poor evidence which they said were poorly gathered and registered.

Several items, including a baton, a pepper spray canister, a scooter and a car were brought up as evidence, but were not featured in the police statement which weakened Mr Simeon’s testimony.

He however explained that the above-mentioned featured in the investigation diary and again the defence discredited the document as credible.

Regarding the mentioned car, the defence once again rejected the evidence since two of the suspects who are partners had their two small children with them in the car and therefore it is evident that it was inappropriate for them to plan such action.

As for the baton and pepper spray canister which allegedly belong to a security firm, employing one of the suspects, the defence noted that the firm was never asked to come, verify and identify the equipment.

Prosecutor Hemanth Kumar in his arguments stressed that all the evidences point toward the accused, including statements, testimonies and even video footage.

Judge Mohan Burhan who is presiding over the case, will give his ruling on December 4, while three of the suspects who are still on remand have had their bail set at R10,000 each.

Roland Duval