Investigators question Dharamlall over new sexual assault allegations

Days after allegations of sexual assault were levelled against him and a report was made to the police, former government minister Nigel Dharamlall turned himself over to the police for questioning.

Dharamlall who was accompanied by his attorney, Bernard Da Silva showed up at the Cove and John Police Station at 9:00 hrs on Tuesday.

He was immediately taken into custody where he remains as investigators question him in relation to the allegation.

Dharamlall, in a statement last week, has denied the allegations outright.

Speaking to reporters outside of the police station, Da Silva said Dharamlall continues to deny the allegations levelled against him.

“The police invited Nigel Dharamlall for report to the Cove and John Police station. He is cooperating with the police.

“He has just conducted an interview of which he denied all of the allegations and the police will have to take it from there,” Da Silva said.

Dharamlall remains in police custody and is being processed, in keeping with the standard procedures.

According to Da Silva, a decision is yet to be taken on granting Dharamlall his pretrial liberty.

“Bail cannot be decided at this stage because the OC does not have that jurisdiction to consider bail at this stage.

“Because of the nature and who the person is, it may demand more than just the OC crime here,” Da Silva said.

Da Silva said the interview was conducted “uninterrupted”.

“I have full confidence in the police to do their work. I do not want to interfere. I have given him instructions and he is matured enough to follow my instructions,” he noted.

Police Headquarters on Monday said that Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed that the victim, Sarah Hakh, has filed a formal report against Dharamlall.

This new allegation surfaces less than a year after Dharamlall was accused of alleging raping a 16-year-old schoolgirl in December 2022.

Following the conclusion of the probe, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised that he is to face no criminal charge since a case was not properly made out against him. The accuser withdrew her report to the Guyana Police Force.

Subsequently, Dharamlall resigned as the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.