A DECISION on former Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran was again stalled after his attorneys petitioned the Court of Appeal for a temporary stay order pending a no-case submission appeal. Ramsarran’s attorneys had petitioned High Court Judge Nareshwar Harnanan for the matter to be thrown out at the Magistrate Court, but it was overruled. This decision was deemed “inaccurate” by his attorneys, who contend that they had enough legal grounds for a no-case submission to be accepted.

Dr. Ramsarran is accused of using insulting language against women’s rights activist Sherlina Nageer on April 20, 2015 outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that he had threatened to strip and slap Nageer while she questioned him during an interview with reporters.

During the hearing on August 25, Magistrate Artiga stressed that the matter has been dragged on long enough due to Ramsaran or his lawyers’ absence, and stated that on the next appearance she would be forced to give a ruling, whether or not all parties are present.

The former Health Minister was at the Whim Magistrate’s Court in support of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was called to answer to a private criminal charge filed against him by Attorney Christopher Ram.
The matter will be called again on November 21, 2016.