Relatives of murdered Pest Co. boss, Mohamed Salahudeen Bacchus Baksh believe that the police are ignoring clues as had occurred when an attempt was made on the businessman’s life back in 2008 but they are confident that in time the truth will be revealed.
For now the family has opted not to follow up the case since for them it would be a wasted effort.
A source close to the family told Stabroek News recently that the attempted arson on properties rented by Baksh after he was gunned down at a restaurant was the final straw. Relatives, the source said, have decided to give up the business.
During a recent interview with this newspaper that source said that when the businessman was wounded in 2008, relatives got no justice although there was a clear enough indication as to who was responsible. “We don’t care anymore. He is dead and we can’t bring him back”, the source said, lamenting that all the relatives can do now is grieve and remember him for the kindheartedness he showed to the less fortunate.
Stabroek News was told that the man worked hard to achieve all that he had at the time of his death. The source said that had the police done what they were suppose to do in 2008 there was a strong possibility that Baksh would have been alive today.
It was explained that relatives now are focused on the two young children that Baksh has left behind.
At the time of his death, Baksh and a business partner had a civil matter before the court. Stabroek News was told that Baksh who filed the matter was fighting for $31M which he said his partner owed him. The source said that many details are not known about the case as Baksh always tried to keep family out of his problems. The source said that the businessman was being frustrated by the number of delays in the matter.
“Right now he is at peace and the family is not going to be running behind nobody”, the source stressed, adding that family members are trying at the moment to be strong for each other.
Stabroek News was told of the many generous acts that Baksh undertook before he died. According to the source, the business took part in numerous outreach programmes helping persons in need and also assisted his own relatives.
“It (the death) has affected me. It has shocked me because the other incident come and gone and who wants to think negative”, the source said.
“Everyone has to face God and the truth will be revealed one day. I know that he is resting peacefully now and one day the family will get justice”, the source said, stressing that all of Baksh’s dreams went up in flames when his business was targeted.
On June 15 around 10 pm Baksh was liming at a restaurant on Thomas Street when two gunmen walked up to the table he was sitting at with friends and opened fire.
One of Baksh’s friends, who witnessed the attack, had related to investigators that after the gunmen entered the restaurant and opened fire on the man, she ran for cover. She then noticed two persons on motorcycles heading in different directions.
Baksh who sustained two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the hand was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) but died hours after while being prepared for emergency surgery.
On August 7, 2008 Baksh was shot several times and robbed at his Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg home by three gunmen. Two men were charged with attempted murder as a result while a third man is yet to be found.
A week after the murder, unknown persons attempted to torch a property in Prashad Nagar that Baksh had rented. Fire was set in about six places outside the building mostly on wooden pallets. Fire-fighters responded promptly with two tenders and a tanker after receiving a report of the fire around 2 am and were able to contain the blaze. There was damage to the interior which housed a bond, a showroom and an office.
Days later another arson attempt was made on a building on Sheriff Street. Fire was set at the back of the building at three different points and some flammable liquid was found at the scene.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle stated that both cases were attempted arsons. The brazenness of these arson attacks in the aftermath of the murder shocked many. Moreover, not a single person has been charged for any of the three events in the space of a few days.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud has said that investigations into the attempted arsons and the murder are ongoing. Based on what he told this newspaper two separate investigations are being conducted as according to him, investigators are yet to find a link between the two.
