Navin Ramgoolam’s claim for damages was called before Justice Karuna Devi Gunesh-Balaghee on Tuesday 18 July. The leader of the Labour Party is claiming Rs 225 million in damages jointly from the State, former Police Commissioner Mario Nobin and former Assistant Police Commissioner Heman Jangi. The latter are named as defendants in the case.
On Tuesday, the judge heard arguments on a point of law raised by Mr Yvan Jean Louis, Acting Assistant Solicitor General, representing the defendants in the case. He argued that the present case does not reveal any valid grounds against the defendants. This is because they are not liable when the leader of the Reds is under judicial supervision.
In response, Gavin Glover, Senior Counsel representing Navin Ramgoolam, argued that the police could not clear themselves of the case by pointing to the judiciary. The judge reserved his decision.
In this case, the former Prime Minister estimates that he has suffered damages in the order of Rs 25 million for each of the nine provisional charges brought against him since he was first arrested on 6 February 2015 by the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID).
