Defence lawyer Jagdeo Singh yesterday criticised Justice of the Peace Ackbar Khan for placing his client Ravi Arjoonsingh and his (Ravi's) estranged wife, Vicky Boodram, on a joint bail bond, totalling $11 million.Singh made the comment as the couple appeared before Magistrate Debbie-Ann Bassaw in the Port-of-Spain court to answer 14 fraud-related charges.They were arrested last Thursday at their homes in Siparia.Singh leads other lawyers for Arjoonsingh's defence.
The charges stemmed from allegations that Boodram's Travel and Ship Ahoy Cruises Limited intended to defraud, caused or procured to be delivered, paid or transferred to the accused, certain forged valuable security sums totalling between $8,000 and $4 million. In court yesterday, Singh said Khan's concept of joint bail was not known in law. He submitted bail was singular and what Khan did was wrong in law."I don't know where Khan, having long and wide experience, invented a new form of joint bail."Singh also requested the couple report to the San Fernando Police Station instead of Khan's order that they report to the Siparia Police Station twice a week.His application was granted. The matter was adjourned to May 12.