Bribery case against Panday delayed

The bribery case against the former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Basdeo Panday and his wife Oma, has been put on hold after a High Court judge granted the Pandays leave to challenge a magistrate’s ruling.



Former government minister Carlos John, and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh are also implicated in the case.



All four accused were due to appear before the magistrate on August 4.



Justice Prakash Moosai gave leave to the Pandays to file for judicial review of a Magistrate’s decision not to step down from hearing the preliminary inquiry, on the ground of bias.



During preliminary arguments the lawyer representing the couple argued that Panday would not get a fair hearing as the magistrate was a trustee of the foundation for which Panday’s political party was responsible.



Panday and his wife are charged with corruptly receiving 25,000 pounds from Galbaransingh and John.