An East Canje garbage-man who allegedly exhumed the body of a dead woman in March was yesterday fined $40,000 or an alternative of six months in jail, after he pleaded guilty to the charge of exhuming a corpse.
Roopram Bacchus, 20, of Lot 25 Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice, admitted to Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo that between Friday March 5 and Saturday March 6, this year, he dug up the corpse of Sumintra Shwnarayan at the Reliance Cemetery. Bacchus, a garbage collector at the cemetery, is also before the court on another charge that alleges that he committed an indecent act on Shwnarayan’s corpse on the same dates. However, he was not required to plead to that charge.
The Magistrate had ordered a psychiatric report on the accused to ascertain his mental state and his suitability to stand trial. The report had stated that the accused is mentally fit to stand trial.
Prosecutor Inspector Satrohan Dayaram said that between the dates mentioned, Bacchus had broken open the 75-year-old woman’s tomb, removed the coffin and the body and then committed an indecent act on the corpse. He is also accused of taking away money and jewellery that was left in the coffin by relatives. The matter was reported and acting on information the accused was arrested and charged.
Bacchus said in open court that he was guilty. He told the court that it was the first time he was ever involved in police story and he was remorseful for what he did. He begged for a chance, noting that he suffered from “a nerves problem” and would drink when “it acts up.” He said he would quit drinking immediately.