As a result, a third member of the Defence team, Ms Emily Dodson was allowed to cross-examine Police Superintendent Michael Harlequin yesterday.

Earlier at the preliminary inquiry into the charge against political activist Benschop, Magistrate Sohan had said he would only permit two counsel on either side to deal with witnesses.

And the Defence, which has seven attorneys-at-law on record, had raised concern over the ruling.

The Court has since ruled that any attorney on both sides would be able to question witnesses.

Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin is associated with Mr. Anil Nandalall and Mr. Dharshan Ramdhani in the pre-trial proceedings.

Harlequin, the eighth witness presented by the Prosecution, is the officer-in-charge of traffic at Brickdam Police Station.

He was sworn after lead Defence Counsel, Mr. Basil Williams finished his cross-examination of Police Constable Rabindranauth Mohal, a Presidential Guard.