Yesterday, the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court ruled in favour of Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan and former Mayor of Georgetown, Pt. Ubraj Narine, acquitting them of charges related to obstructing traffic. The court’s decision followed a dismissal of the case, after finding no substantial evidence to support the prosecution’s claims.
The charges stemmed from an incident on December 12, 2022, when police alleged that Duncan and Narine obstructed traffic on New Market Street by positioning themselves under a truck. However, the defense team, led by attorney Darren Wade, successfully challenged the allegations, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify the charges.
At the time of the incident, Pt. Ubraj Narine was serving as Mayor of Georgetown and had become a prominent critic of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government’s interference in the city’s affairs. Narine had been advocating for the rights of vendors facing displacement due to Central Government actions, a cause that saw him clashing with Central Government policies.
In a statement following the verdict, Narine expressed a sense of vindication. “I not only feel vindicated for the action I took in defense of the vendors, but I will continue to stand up for justice, without fear, and fight for the rights of all citizens,” Narine said.
The court’s ruling has been seen as a significant yasal victory for both Duncan and Narine, signaling a blow to the charges that were widely viewed by some as politically motivated.