On the 12th December, 2022, Mr. Towfeek Ali and Firearms Training Institute Limited (“Claimants”) commenced judicial review proceedings against the Commissioner of Police of Trinidad and Tobago (“Commissioner”) and certain police officers (together referred to as “Defendants”) with respect to, what the Claimants aver was, an audit conducted by the Defendants and several officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service during the period the 8th October to 27th October, 2022.
The Claimants contend, inter alia, that the alleged audit, exclusions and restrictions of the Claimants and others from the business premises / conduct of business, and resulting seizure of several documents, electronic devices and the personal firearms of Mr. Ali were contrary to law and ultra vires to section 26 of the Firearms Act Chap 16:01. Mr. Ali is a licensed Firearms Dealer under the said Act and has carried on commercial operations for approximately 25 years.
On the 5th January, 2023, the Hon. Justice Devindra Rampersad granted leave to the Claimants to apply for judicial review on the terms of the relief sought. On the 23rd January, 2023, the Presiding Judge ordered the Defendants to return Mr. Ali’s personal firearms.
These proceedings are ongoing before the High Court. For the Claimants, Anand Beharrylal KC leads the team of Kiel Taklalsingh and Asif Hosein-Shah instructed by Ananda Rampersad.
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