Acting Chief Magistrate Brian Debideen denies wrongdoing after a police search. Judiciary and Opposition urge due process, restraint.
Acting Chief Magistrate Brian Debideen has denied any wrongdoing through his attorneys, a day after police searched his home in Gulf View, San Fernando, and seized electronic devices. Attorneys Prakash Ramadhar, Michael Rooplal and Vishan Girwar said in a statement Tuesday that Debideen cooperated fully and handed over all devices specified in the warrant. Dabideen has not been arrested or charged.
The attorneys said the execution of a search warrant does not show that an offence was committed and that no adverse inference of guilt should be drawn from it. They said their client is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process, and they warned that unsubstantiated allegations and public speculation risk unwarranted prejudice to his reputation and to public confidence in the justice system. They commended the officers’ professionalism, and said Debideen recognizes the lawful authority of investigators. The Guardian reported that sources confirmed Dabideen is still performing his duties.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said the search was part of a broader investigation involving local and international law enforcement partners, as reported earlier. He declined to give operational details, saying the inquiry is at a sensitive stage. His statement did not name specific offences. The Guardian reported that police have described the wider probe as covering reported areas including bribery, public corruption, fraud and money laundering.
The Judiciary said Tuesday it would make no further comment to protect the fairness of any investigative or legal process. It cited due process, the presumption of innocence and equality before the law. The Assembly of Southern Lawyers said public information is limited and urged authorities to proceed independently and fairly. Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles said the Opposition would join the Judiciary in abiding by due process and await information from those responsible for the administration of justice. She noted that no statement from the police service, the Ministry of Justice or the Attorney General’s office was posted at the time. Opposition MP Kareem Marcelle said a search alone does not establish guilt and urged the public not to jump to conclusions. Former prime minister Stuart Young declined to comment. The Guardian said it could not reach Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj.
Public attention to the matter began in June, when a newspaper reported that the arrest of a sitting magistrate was imminent. Citing an intelligence report, the article alleged that a senior judicial officer had received bribes in at least two cases in exchange for favorable rulings. It did not name the magistrate. The next day, Debideen appeared at a news conference with his attorneys, who said he had done nothing wrong. Rooplal said Debideen had acted according to law after hearing the prosecution’s submissions. The Chief Magistrate oversees the Magistracy Division, including supervision of magistrates and court staff.