THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the attempt to obstruct the course of justice charge against CNS Channel Six television owner, Chandra Narine Sharma, began Wednesday, almost one year after he was charged. The pre-trial proceedings are being conducted by Magistrate Geeta Chandan Persid-Edmond but the first prosecution witness called, Theresa Danraj complained of feeling unwell and the hearing was, once again, adjourned.
The deponent is to continue her testimony on April 14.

Sharma made his first appearance on April 26, 2010 and the case had its genesis in the allegation that he had molested a pre-teenage girl.

Particulars of the offence said, on April 15, 2010, he willfully attempted to obstruct the course of justice by removing Primotie Danraj and two other females from their known address to a house at Lot 123 Golden Grove Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara.

It is alleged that the accused tried to prevent the police from questioning Danraj and the other females for the purpose of an investigation into sexual offences he committed on the girl.

In a related case, four persons, including Sharma’s son-in-law, Ravi Mangar and three employees, Tyrone Ali, Doodnauth Sharma and Raymattie Ramsaywack, were also charged, on April 23, 2010, with offering inducements to potential witnesses.

Mark Reid, as well as the Sharma employees and Mangar are also facing the attempt to obstruct the course of justice charge.

Meanwhile, Doodnauth Sharma and Ramsaywack are jointly charged with removing the girls from their residence to Lot 123 Golden Grove Housing Scheme, also on April 15, 2010.

Ali is alleged to have willfully attempted to obstruct the course of justice by making enquiries from a sister of the victim and recording them, on April 18, in the relation to the whereabouts of her other sisters, who are all witnesses.
The PI in those cases are ongoing separately. (Nathalene DeFreitas)