Magistrate Chandra Sohan, who is conducting the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the joint charge against political activists Mark Benschop and Phillip Bynoe, adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes following outbursts from amongst the Prosecution and Defence teams.

The pre-trial hearing had been in progress for about an hour, with the Prosecution replying to Defence submissions, when Magistrate Sohan intervened and summoned the lawyers to his chambers.

After the caucus, Mr Anil Nandalall, from that side, apologised, on behalf of the Prosecution, for what had happened outside earlier.

Prior to that, Nandalall, one of the attorneys-at-law associated with Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin, had a heated exchange with Ms Emily Dodson from the Defence team.

Dodson took objection to what she called Nandalall's heckling while she was on her feet and that triggered cross talk between them.

Leading Defence Counsel Basil Williams interjected, submitting that Dodson was being discriminated against because she is a woman and said she should be protected by the Bench.

Williams said such conduct was not evident when other Defence lawyers were addressing the Court.

Williams himself was also involved in a spat with Prosecution Associate Darshan Ramdhani over what the former described as “derogatory” remarks and Ramdhani, too, tendered an apology for his conduct.

After then, the pre-trial process continued without further disruption until the adjournment was taken to today.

Benschop and Bynoe are jointly charged with the capital offence, particulars of which say they conspired together with other persons to forcibly and unlawfully enter the compound and premises of Office of the President (OP) in Georgetown last July 3 and were present and encouraged others, by word and conduct, to unlawfully storm the same premises.