Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, has denied interfering in a court matter to have a man released on bail. Responding to a statement issued by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Parag rejected what she described as a malicious and fabricated claim that she directed a magistrate.
“This reckless publication by APNU represents a calculated attempt to smear my name and mislead the public, and it brings the administration of justice into disrepute,” the minister said.
Parag, an attorney-at-law by profession, emphasized her respect for the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary. She stated that any suggestion that she would seek to influence the outcome of a judicial proceeding is “not only deeply offensive, but also wholly incompatible with the principles I uphold.”
The minister further disclosed that she is currently consulting with legal counsel and intends to pursue appropriate legal action against the authors and disseminators of what she labelled a libellous and injurious publication.
“I will not allow any falsehood to go unchallenged,” she declared. “I will defend my name and reputation vigorously and lawfully.”
Parag is also demanding the immediate retraction of APNU’s press release and a public apology from those responsible for its dissemination.
APNU, in the missive dated May 6, 2025, said that several unnamed residents of Region Five are demanding the removal of Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir for “political bias and for being under the direct control of a PPP minister”.
It noted that on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Weldaad Magistrates’ Court, two persons were remanded to prison for one month over charges of inciting violence and terrorism.
The release stated that the Magistrate “secretly released Mr. Glenroy Fraser”, “a known PPP activist” on bail after initially remanding him to prison for abuse and disrupting the peace.
The party said that Fraser verbally attacked the magistrate, the virtual complainant, and the prosecutors by hurling expletives at them.
“Residents expressed shock to see Mr Fraser a few hours later walking into his yard in the El Dorado community as they expected him to be in prison. To date, he remains at home,” the APNU said.
It also noted that Fraser allegedly “recounted in full public view and hearing that his political friend, Minister of Local Government Sonia Parag, called Magistrate Mohabir and ordered his release”.
APNU said that “the actions of Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir clearly indicate that he is compromised and cannot be trusted with presiding fairly and professionally over the affairs of justice.”
This morning, in response to Parag’s call for a retraction and public apology, APNU wrote on its Facebook page: “The PNCR/APNU would advise Minister Sonia Parag to direct her ire and threats of legal action towards Mr Glenroy Fraser, PPP activist in Region Five, as he is the person who publicly boasted that she arranged for him to be released after he was remanded to prison by magistrate Ravindra Mohabir”.
