A MASTANA Bahar winner has been left traumatised after she was thrown in a police cell wearing only a bra and half slip.

Samantha Ramcharan was wearing a sari when she was arrested last May 11.

Ramcharan placed third in the Mastana Bahar show of that night.

The young woman said she was returning home after the recording at the Gulf City Auditorium in La Romaine with her driver, Ibrahim Mustapha and her father, Kamal Ramcharan when tragedy struck.

It was 10.30 p.m.

Mustapha is the president of the Cashew Gardens Community Council of Carlsen Field, Chaguanas while Ramcharan is the youth officer.

Mustapha related to TnT Mirror: “We observed two men in plain clothes holding a man against a van in the Cross Crossing area.

“Knowing the crime situation in the country, I stopped and inquired if everything was alright.

SAMANTHA RAMCHARAN (left) and IBRAHIM
MUSTAPHA seeking legal advice.

“The men started to curse and told us to go, claiming they were police.

“We asked for identification badge.

“We were not shown any identification so I dialed 999, thinking it was a robbery and I would be assisting a victim of a crime.”

Ramcharan said she also called 999.

The two believe the calls to 999 led to their arrest.

Ramcharan claims that she was dragged by the sari and thrown in a police vehicle that came to the scene.

She alleged that she was manhandled, insulted and ridiculed by the male officers, who eventually took her to the San Fernando Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

At the police station, Ramcharan said she made a request for a woman police to deal with her.

She told Mirror that she was informed that she cannot remain with the sari since it had a long string.

She said she had to remain in the bra top of the sari and the half slip in the cell.

“They wanted to fingerprint me and wanted me to walk in the station in full view of the male officers and male prisoners in the undergarment.

“I protested and begged the female officer and she allowed me to throw the sari over me,” Ramcharan told Mirror.

Ramcharan was charged with obstruction while Mustapha was charged with using obscene language.

They pleaded not guilty and are before the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court.

To date, Ramcharan continues to have nightmares.

She related: “I thought I was being kidnapped, since the police officers never identified themselves.

“I cannot see a police officer or go close to the police station and remain calm since.

“I get panic attacks.

“I am scared for my life and that of my friend, Mustapha.”

Mustapha said strange men recently visited the Cashew Garden area asking for him by his first name.

He said he was suspicious.

He told Mirror that the community council was in the process of appointing a police youth group but has been thrown back due to the situation with Ramcharan.

Ramcharan and Mustapha are seeking legal advice on the matter.

They are calling on Commissioner of Police (CoP) Trevor Paul to investigate the incident.

“We cannot have policemen tormenting and abusing members of the public for nothing,” Ramcharan said.