The attorney for paraplegic Robby Ramcharitar yesterday questioned Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan’s decision to order a psychiatric evaluation for her client. Rekha Ramjit said her client was victim of a police beating and psychiatric evaluations were usually ordered for people accused of criminal offences. She said Khan should have instead looked at the mental health of the two Special Reserve Police officers charged with assaulting a man confined to a wheelchair.
Yesterday, Ramcharitar was kept under guard at Ward 9 of the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). When the Guardian visited him yesterday, Ramcharitar said he went to the St Ann’s Mental Hospital on Saturday night where he was evaluated and returned to the SFGH. “The doctors told me I am not mad, I was never mad. Maybe I drank a little alcohol that Saturday when the officer slapped me but I am not mad,” Ramcharitar said.
While speaking, a security officer came to his bed and told him, ‘I talk to you already. You had enough of the media already.’ The officer would not identify himself, but tried to stop the conversation. Speaking by telephone yesterday, Ramjit said it was possible that Ramcharitar’s rights were violated, but would have to check what basis Khan used in determining that an evaluation was needed.
“I spoke to Mr Ramcharitar and he said they told him that he is under protective custody and he does not know why. The only reason he can be in protective custody is if the police think his life is in danger. “I am not sure on what authority or basis that the Health Minister asked that he be taken for psychiatric evaluation. There is nothing in the video to suggest that Mr Ramcharitar did anything untoward.
“Mr Ramcharitar did not do anything to suggest that he was out of his normal senses. He may have reacted in a manner that was unacceptable, but certainly, hundreds and thousands of people in T&T would act in that manner on a daily basis,” Ramjit said. Snr Superintendent Cecil Santana said Ramcharitar was not under police protection as it would have been officers in uniform guarding his bedside.