In a contentious Senate session on December 2, 2025, Temporary Opposition Senator Sanjiv Boodhu delivered a comprehensive critique of the proposed Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, challenging its fundamental effectiveness in addressing criminal activities. Speaking during parliamentary debates, Boodhu—who also serves as a deputy political leader for the PNM—directly contradicted government assertions that the legislation would empower citizens to protect themselves during home invasions.
Boodhu systematically dismantled claims made by Government Senator Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, arguing that the bill’s purported benefits would only apply to the limited segment of the population with legal access to firearms. ‘This legislation, despite its accompanying messaging, provides no mechanism for law-abiding citizens to legally obtain firearms,’ he emphasized, highlighting what he characterized as a critical flaw in the proposed law.
The opposition senator further challenged the government’s foundational premise that existing laws are insufficient to address home invasion crimes, noting that Attorney General John Jeremie, SC, had previously referenced relevant legislation that has been operational since 1971. ‘I cannot comprehend what insufficiency or ambiguity exists in a 54-year-old legal framework,’ Boodhu stated, adding that he was unaware of any instances where law enforcement encountered difficulties in charging individuals for home break-ins.
Boodhu presented a detailed analysis of the home invasion process, identifying multiple stages including victim surveillance, execution of the crime, escape evasion, and monetization of stolen goods. He acknowledged the severity of crimes committed during such invasions, including ‘violent assaults, robberies, larceny, and sexual offenses,’ but maintained that the proposed legislation fails to address any of these criminal elements.
The senator criticized the bill for lacking provisions to enhance police capabilities in intelligence gathering, communication interception, or specialized unit formation. ‘It provides no assistance to law enforcement in intercepting criminal communications during any stage of home invasions,’ he noted. Additionally, Boodhu warned that the legislation would potentially exacerbate case backlogs within the criminal justice system rather than alleviating them, with his sole positive acknowledgment being the previous administration’s elimination of preliminary inquiries to reduce judicial congestion.