Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard has maintained his office’s independence and denied allegations of unlawful delay in presenting an indictment against Earl Richards, one of the men accused of murdering former prosecutor, senior counsel Dana Seetahal.

In an affidavit dated August 15, Gaspard responded to complaints raised by Richards and his attorneys, who described the delay as “unacceptable and unconstitutional”.

Gaspard emphasised that the DPP’s Office is independent of the Attorney General, citing Section 90 of the Constitution and a 2012 declaration by then-attorney general Anand Ramlogan that confirmed this separation of powers.