Fifty-year-old Dharampaul, called Ramesh, who was charged with carnal knowledge was on Friday last committed to stand trial in the High Court when a novel paper committal procedure was conducted which found that a prima facie case was made out against him.
Differing from the traditional preliminary inquiry (PI) which is usually done to determine whether the accused would be required to face trial, the paper committal is a historic step.
This paper committal is the first of its kind at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was done before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
In a brief interview with Stabroek News, the magistrate explained that the hearing was completed in eight days.
The Criminal Law (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, which is the paper committal law, vests in magistrates the power to commit accused persons to stand trial in the High Court if a prima facie case is made out based on statements, documents and other articles tendered to the court, in the absence of a witness.
The allegation against Dharampaul of Hill Foot, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara is that between December 2009 and October last, he had carnal knowledge of a nine-year-old girl.
