Caption: UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her deputy Dr Roodal Moonilal
SOCIAL media blogger Rhoda Bharath has to pay Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilat $75,000 in compensation and legal fees for defamation.
On Friday, Justice Margaret Mohammed found Bharath liable for a 2020 Facebook post falsely suggesting that Moonilal was under police investigation.
The post also questioned Moonilal’s decision to purchase 100 cases of water for police officers in his constituency, implying misconduct while allegedly under investigation. However, Justice Mohammed clarified that no such investigation existed.
Alongside the compensation, Bharath must also cover Moonilal’s legal expenses, amounting to $19,000.
Following the judgment, Dr Moonilal released a statement saying that during a recent address in Princes Town, he reiterated that police never approached him regarding any matters tied to the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD).
Bharath acknowledged the court’s decision in her own Facebook statement, expressing her intention to explore legal options and promising to share further details after consulting with her attorneys.
