We had no part in Rama arrest says PM
We had nothing to do with Rama arrest
Talking to the media yesterday after a ceremony in Triolet, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said the government had nothing to do with the arrest on Wednesday of Rama Sithanen, former vice prime minister and minister of finance.
“I can guarantee you that there has been no political interference in the arrest of Mr Sithanen. By the way he (Rama Sithanen) was my finance minister in the previous government,” said Dr Ramgoolam.
He also pointed out that the legal counsel of Mr Sithanen, Mr Subash Lallah SC, stated on Wednesday that he was satisfied that there was no political interference. The prime minister also said some laws should be reviewed.
“As I said in the past, we must review certain laws. It all depends on the offence caused but the routine of arresting somebody, then take him to court and finally bail him out… If somebody is not a danger to the country or society, I think there could be a different way to act (by the police).
“But the law is not like this at the moment and we will have to review it,” said Dr Ramgoolam. He gave the example of a driver, not guilty, who is involved in an accident and somebody dies as a consequence. “He will be arrested, even spend a night in prison and then taken to court. I think we need to review all that.”
Asked if he was saying he was not satisfied with the way the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID) proceeded with Mr Sithanen, he replied: “No I’m not saying this and please do not put words in my mouth. The law is the law as it is.”
Mr Sithanen was accused on Wednesday of having “used telecommunications device to commit mischief” under section 46 H of the Information and Communications Technology Act (ICTA).
The accusation came nearly five months after trade unionist Rashid Imrith, president of the Government General Services Union (GGSU), filed a police statement against him for alleged abuse on the phone.
Mr. Sithanen had been accused of having verbally attacked Mr. Imrith on the phone following the controversy that sprang up concerning the appointment of 16 consultants.
Last year former justice minister Rama Valayden was called to the CCID where he was quizzed “under caution” for four hours after which the police decided that the Attorney General had no charges to answer with regard to his public comments about police brutality.
As he left police HQ at Line Barracks, Mr Valayden said he felt like he had been “put through a blender”.
