THE Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised the police not to charge Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh with any offence following the accident in which he was involved last Mashramani Night.
This was disclosed in a police press release issued on Tuesday. It said the decision was made after the persons who were affected, both indicated that they no longer wish to pursue the matter.Initially, the person who owned the other vehicle with which the Finance Minister’s accidentally crashed, had wanted $5M to address the damage caused to his.
That was after the Minister had indicated to the man that he was willing to offer $1M but that was originally refused.
Then Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud, now Acting Commissioner, told the media that, in cases involving certain senior public figures, the police do not immediately lay charges but send the files to the DPP for advice on the way forward.
In the case of Minister Singh the file was sent to the DPP and, while it was there for some time, the persons who were in the other car, said they no longer wanted to go ahead with matter.
The crash, at an intersection in Campbellville, Georgetown, had also attracted the attention of social and other networks as persons debated the length of time it was taking the police to decide on the way forward.
The minister was accused of driving the government vehicle while under the influence of alcohol but has since denied this claim.
But sources close to the Minister said on the night of the accident and earlier in the day it happened, the minister was locked in meetings with the focus on the Anti-Money Laundering Bill and because he looked exhausted, those who witnessed the mishap might have mistaken his appearance as having been under the influence.