99. The Court notes that in view of the challenge to the allegation under consideration by
the Respondent State, the Applicant, who bears the burden
of proof, has not provided
any such proof. The Court therefore dismisses this allegation.
B)
The allegation that the charge against the Applicant was defective
100. In his Application, the Applicant alleges that the charge sheet was marred by defects.
101. In his written submissions attached to the Application, the Applicant argued that on
the charge sheet by which he was arraigned before the trial, it was indicated that he was
the only one to have committed the armed robbery, whereas the evidence indicates that
they were many.
He argues that according to law, the charge sheet should have been
amended accordingly, which was not done.
102.
In its Response,
the Respondent
contests that allegation
and
asked
that the
Applicant provide strict proof thereof. Regarding the difference between the content of the
charge sheet, which mentions only one accused
person, and the evidence before the
judge indicating that there were several thieves, the Respondent State indicated that the
law provides
for the possibility of modifying the charge sheet only if there has been a
defect in the substance and on the form;
that in the instant case, the fact that the other
thieves were not mentioned in the charge sheet did not distort the substance or form of
the charge;
and that had the other thieves been arrested, the charge sheet would
been duly amended
have
to include them. The Respondent State further argued that if other
people involved in the armed robbery were to be arrested even today, they could still be
charged with the crime since there is no time limitation in criminal matters; and that in fact
their inclusion in the charge sheet would have been a huge irregularity, and would have
rendered the charge sheet defective.
103. The Respondent State concludes that the allegation is frivolous and misconceived
and should be dismissed.
~
S
bee
se
—_
Re ex