Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Persaud was recorded on video on August 1st 2021 hurling profanities and sexually abusive language at a woman who had been trying to feed homeless dogs and in its first word on the matter yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the complaint had been investigated by the “relevant authorities” and it considered the matter closed. Photo: Internet Source

The video and a criminal complaint filed against Persaud by the woman, 63,  who is an Associate Professor only surfaced yesterday even though the incident occurred on August 1 2021.

Shortly after Stabroek News saw the video, contact was made with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd who said the ministry would respond.

The statement said: “The matter, brought to the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs of India by High Commissioner Persaud, was fully investigated by the relevant authorities and a formal response to the High Commissioner dated September 3rd, 2022 indicates that ‘allegation of sexual abusive words to complainant has [sic] not been substantiated’”.

The ministry said that it “therefore considers the matter closed”. 

From a document seen by Stabroek News, it doesn’t appear that the Indian investigation took account of the video.