Days after the 16-year-old school girl who filed a rape complaint against Minister of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall asked the Police to no longer proceed with the matter, the Director of Public Prosecutions has advised the police that in the absence of the victim’s complaint, there is no legal provision for the Police to continue with the matter.

The teenager was placed in the protective custody of the Child Care and Protection Agency just over two weeks ago when she first filed the complaint about allegedly being raped and sexually assaulted by the Minister at his home last December.

It took the Police one week to complete its investigations, but after it submitted its file to the DPP for further advice, it took the DPP more than five days to respond to the submission. The DPP sent the file back to the Police last week, seeking further investigations.

It was during that period for further investigations, that the teenager decided to no longer proceed with the matter, paving the way for her to be released from protective custody and allowed back into the care of her family.

Several interest groups accused the Police and the Office of the DPP of dragging out the matter, resulting in the young child being pressured to face additional questions about her alleged ordeal.

In its statement this afternoon, the Police said the DPP disclosed that consideration was given to the fact that the complainant gave a further statement to investigators that she wishes to withdraw her complaint against Minister Dharamlall and that her decision was not influenced by anyone and that same was in her best interest.

The DPP told the Police that her advice was based on the fact that the virtual complainant’s statement was taken by a forensic interviewer in the presence of a parent, a Child Care officer and a Police officer and that such statement was free and voluntary.

The Minister of Local Government had proceeded on administrative leave to pave the way for the investigations into the matter. The Government remains under fire for not completely removing him from office.

With the matter no longer proceeding against the Minister, the stage may now be set for his return to work overlooking the Local Government Ministry.

There are still calls for him to be removed from office.

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