Well known businessman Rabindranath Maharaj has been freed on four charges of extortion and demanding money by menace.
Two years after the charges were laid against Maharaj, San Fernando Senior Magistrate Cherril-Ann Antoine discharged him after hearing submissions from the defence and state attorneys.
The charges alleged that Maharaj, owner of R&J Cell Tech Ltd, demanded over $200,000 from contractor Rajkumar Ramkissoon during a seven-year period. The charges included that on December 23, 2008, with menace, he demanded $59,000 with intent to steal; on June 19, 2013, he demanded $29,000 with intent to steal; on October 10, 2006, he demanded with intent to extort or gain $59,000 and on October 23, 2008, with menace he demanded $59,000.
When Maharaj first appeared in court charged with the four offences in February 2015, his attorney Keith Beckles submitted that he was innocent and rather instead a victim of fraud. Beckles also claimed it was ironic his client was charged, as he was a victim of a dishonest cheque allegedly issued by the victim.
Maharaj was granted $150,000 bail on the conditions that he report to the police station three times a week and surrendered his passport. Beckles subsequently applied to a judge in chambers and all Maharaj’s reporting conditions were removed and his passport returned to him.
The matter was set for trial for the last time on May 25. However, after hearing submissions by state attorney Anselm Leander and responses by Beckles, the magistrate discharged Maharaj.
Following this, Maharaj said he was traumatised by the entire incident. He expressed his gratitude to God and his attorney, whom he thanked for doing an excellent job in restoring his life.
