00:00As High Court Judge Justice Frank C. Passard threw out the defamation case against Dr. Rudal Munilal on Monday,
00:07neither the claimant, James Caron Rose, nor any of his representatives attended the virtual hearing.
00:12Rose, by way of his company's Trillions Systems and Rose Capital Investments, has been ordered to pay Dr. Munilal's legal costs.
00:21The outcome is as a result of lengthy delays in meeting the requirements of the court, preventing the matter from moving ahead.
00:27Also during the hearing, lead attorney for Rose, Hove Masai Sai, made a formal application to come off the record, but did not delve into why he chose to do so.
00:38However, in October of 2025, Hove and associates filed a cease-to-act application before the High Court, asking to be removed as illegal representatives for Rose.
00:49The instructing attorney indicated that between July and September of 2025, several unsuccessful attempts had been made to reach Rose,
00:57and even a former legal representative was unable to reach him.
01:01The defamation suit stemmed from statements made by Dr. Munilal on a political platform alleging corruption, illegal quarrying, and political collusion by Rose.
01:10Well, Justice Sipersad says,
01:13The court's jurisdiction had been invoked but not respected by Trillions Systems, which failed to comply with the directions of the court and their stipulated time frame.
01:23These directions included the steps pertaining to the filing of a reply, if necessary, and the exchange of lists of documents.
01:31Justice Sipersad has taken note that there has been no indication that a reply was ever filed,
01:37neither was there any evidence of compliance with disclosure obligations.
01:42That's despite an extension of time being given, and six months elapsing without a claimant making substantial efforts towards the advancement of his claim.
01:51Sipersad says,
01:52What concerns me is that a claimant has invoked the court's jurisdiction, but has not taken the requisite steps to move the matter forward.
02:02A party who invokes the jurisdiction of the court has a responsibility.
02:06End quote.
02:07The judge says the approach taken by the claimant is something that will not be tolerated,
02:12as he further points to the court jealously guarding its process.
02:15In this regard, he says only claimants who genuinely want to see their matters advance should consume judicial time.
02:24In commenting on the new development, Dr. Munilal, who was represented by Anand Ramlogan Senior Counsel,
02:30and Jared Jagro says the decision taken by the court signals a clear vindication of his position.
02:35He adds that the matters he raised were of serious public interest.
02:40Dr. Munilal alleges Rose to be a financier of the People's National Movement,
02:45and states that many people are left aggrieved because of investments made to trillion systems,
02:51which at this time they have seen no returns on.
02:55The energy minister says,
02:56They have lost their personal savings, and Mr. Rose has not repaid one red cent to these four people.
03:02We therefore call upon opposition leader Penelope Beckles to indicate whether the PNM will sever its ties with Mr. Rose
03:08in light of this latest legal defeat and provide legal assistance to the hundreds that have lost their life's savings.
03:16End quote.
03:17Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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