HGP NIGHTLY NEWS – Questions are mounting over who has the legal authority to send Deputy Police Commissioner and SOCU Head Fazil Karimbaksh on leave, after Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken withdrew his earlier decision to do so.
In a letter dated October 12, Hicken formally rescinded his October 7 correspondence granting Karimbaksh leave prior to retirement.
The Police Commissioner said the reversal followed further consideration of the constitutional and legal framework governing the respective powers of the President, the Police Service Commission and the Commissioner of Police.
Hicken informed Karimbaksh that the October 7 letter would therefore cease to have effect.
He further indicated that any action concerning the Deputy Commissioner’s leave would have to be taken by the appropriate authority in accordance with the Constitution and applicable law.
The reversal now raises fresh questions about Karimbaksh’s administrative status and whether he remains actively performing his duties as Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit.
It comes as Karimbaksh faces serious allegations of sexual assault and threats reportedly made by a female Police Inspector. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven.
There have been mounting calls for Karimbaksh to be removed from active duty while the investigation is underway, with several groups previously raising concerns about the independence of an investigation involving one of the country’s most senior police officers.
With Hicken now withdrawing his decision, attention turns to the President and Police Service Commission and the constitutional question of which authority is empowered to determine Karimbaksh’s leave or administrative status.
