The tribunal appointed to look into complaints against the suspended Chief Justice Kamal Kumar has decided to hold the hearing in a public setting, with conditions to protect the rights and interests of all parties involved.
In the ruling read out by tribunal chairperson retired Justice David Aston-Lewis, at the old parliament complex in Veiuto today, the tribunal outlined these conditions, which include maintaining the confidentiality of documents and evidence, ensuring the protection of complainants’ identities and the details of their complaints, and requiring all of the suspended CJ’s witnesses provide a statutory declaration of the evidence that they will give within seven days.
The tribunal also allowed the submission of further expert evidence and remote examination of witnesses, even if it deviated from the established timetable.
The ruling comes after KC Anthony Morris, senior counsel for the suspended CJ, at a pre-hearing conference on Monday, September 25, requested a public hearing citing constitutional rights. Initially, the tribunal planned for a private hearing.
The matter has been adjourned to November 21.
