AFTER waiting more than a decade for justice to be served, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill has won a $15 million defamation lawsuit against Anthony Vieira, who published, aired, and broadcasted a series of disparaging remarks during a commentary on C.N.S. Channel 6 on May 4, 2011.
The trial was conducted by Justice Gino Persaud, who delivered judgement on March 14, 2024.
According to a statement issued by Minister Edghill on Friday, the Judge, in his judgement ordered: “that Mr. Anthony Vieira is liable in defamation for libel published by him on the 4th May 2011, concerning the Honourable Bishop Juan Anthony Edghill.”
“That Mr. Anthony Vieira do compensate the Honourable Bishop Juan Anthony Edghill in the sum of fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) being compensatory damages.”
“That Chandra Narine Sharma, trading under the name and style of C.N.S. Channel 6 who is also liable for airing the libelous commentary do compensate the Honourable Bishop Juan Anthony Edghill in the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) being nominal damages since an apology and retraction was published and re-broadcasted and repeated, and the said commentary was taken off-air after being aired only once.”
“That both Anthony Vieira and Chandra Narine Sharma pay to the Honourable Bishop Juan Anthony Edghill costs in the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) each.”
“That a permanent injunction is granted restraining the Defendants by themselves, servants and/or agents from repeating or republishing the said or similar libel of or concerning the Plaintiff.”
In his statement, Minister Edghill explained that even though the matter took a long time to be resolved, he is happy and feels validated by the court’s decision. He also noted that it is his intention to ensure that all the necessary measures are taken to uphold the provisions of the aforementioned court orders.
The Public Works Minister said: “Despite the lengthy time taken for the conclusion of the case, I am satisfied and vindicated with the ruling of the Court and intend to ensure that all steps are taken to enforce the terms of the said Orders of Court.”
Due to the defamation that severely damaged Minister Edghill’s reputation and caused him great distress, embarrassment, public humiliation, and ridicule, he filed a lawsuit against Anthony Vieira and Chandra Narine Sharma under the name and style of C.N.S. Channel 6 on May 17, 2011.
Attorneys-at-law, Manoj Narayan and Chandanie Dyal of Mohabir A. Nandlall & Associates and Bhagwati Chambers, initiated and prosecuted the High Court action on behalf of the minister.
