Sexual assault allegations against Dharamlall: Legal advisors reviewing statements of alleged sexual assault victim – Crime Chief

Legal advisors attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are currently reviewing the statements taken from a 28-year-old woman who alleges that she was sexually molested by embattled former Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall.
This is according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum during a brief telephone interview with Guyana Times on Saturday. Further, Blanhum confirmed that the complaint of misconduct was lodged in Division 4C, but is now engaging the attention of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary. He noted that detectives have immediately launched an investigation, which is in its preliminary state.
Blanhum also said it is most likely that the suspect would be called in for questioning in relation to the allegation brought against him.

“I cannot say how soon, but yes, Mr Dharamlall will be brought in for questioning… This is a serious allegation, and we do not want to miss any critical piece of information during the investigation stage,” Blanhum said.
A new rape allegation surfaced on Friday against Dharamlall, who also serves as an executive of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). The 28-year-old alleged victim, who topped Guyana at the CSEC exams several years ago, hosted a virtual press conference in which she detailed two separate incidents when she was sexually molested against her will. The first, she revealed, was committed back in September 2020 at State House in Anna Regina.
Recounting that incident, the woman explained that her alleged abuser, who was a minister at the time, had invited her there to be interviewed for a job. She claimed that, upon arriving, she was taken into a bedroom, where she was sexually assaulted. She described feeling trapped and violated as she resisted the official’s advances.
The woman revealed that the second incident occurred in 2021 at the former minister’s residence in Cummings Lodge. She admitted that she was hesitant to report the matter, considering the extent of corruption within the Police Force, and more importantly, she did not want her name to be dragged into the mud.
Hours after the accusation surfaced, the former government official issued a statement vehemently refuting the claims made against him. He expressed awareness of the alleged victim’s press conference, where she levelled ‘malicious’ allegations against him. He began by outrightly denying each accusation put forth by the woman.
“For some while hitherto, I was privy to rumours that (named person) was making unsavoury comments in relation to me, but I made a deliberate effort to ignore them. I have known (name provided) personally for several years, and have always maintained a most civil and cordial relationship with her, including socialising on many occasions. Her demeanour towards me changed fundamentally after I rebuffed her advances and spurned her attempts to engage in an intimate relationship,” the statement said.
“Thereafter, (name provided) embarked on a campaign to malign and tarnish my reputation. This was manifested through several fake profiles on social media, surreptitious leaks of information to the traditional media, and a whisper campaign to anyone willing to listen. It really begs the question as to what has reignited this quest by (named person) to sully my good name, particularly at this time. Her latest attempt bears testimony to this.
“I have already engaged and instructed attorneys-at-law, who are reviewing the statements made by (named person) with a view (to) instituting legal proceedings against her and other persons associated with propagating these falsehoods, as may be necessary.”
In June 2023, Dharamlall was arrested at the Brickdam Police Station for questioning in relation to rape allegations levelled against him by a 16-year-old girl. He was subsequently released on $1 million station bail. The charges were subsequently dropped based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, following a statement from the teenager that was delivered to the police by her mother.
The teenager, in that statement, indicated that she wanted no further action on the matter. In light of that, the DPP concluded that in the absence of the victim’s complaint, there was no legal provision for the police to proceed with the matter.
The DPP also disclosed that consideration was given to the fact that the complainant had given a further statement to investigators to the effect that she wished to withdraw her complaint against Dharamlall, that her decision was not influenced by anyone, and that it was in her best interest to do so.