Besham Ganpat, the businessman who was charged with the forgery of a $4 million Republic Bank cheque and with using it to purchase stationery was yesterday released on a total of $600,000 bail.
Ganpat, 31, Lot 15 First Street, Industry, was granted bail when he made his second appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Georgetown.
Ganpat was arraigned on Monday on three charges. It was alleged that during the period August 10 to August 22, 2014, he conspired with others and forged a Republic Bank Limited cheque No. 0895939, valued at $4,400,800, gave the forged cheque to Danaram Chand and obtained a quantity of office supplies and $252,000 cash from Chand.
He was granted $100,000 bail for the alleged conspiracy, $100,000 bail for uttering a forged cheque and $400,000 for obtaining the stationery using the cheque.
Ganpat’s attorney, Leslie Sobers, pleaded for lenience in bail but was not granted any reduction. Ganpat is to return to court on October 31, when the matter will be called for statements.
On Monday, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that Ganpat was arrested during a sting operation and had also signalled that there was the likelihood of more charges being filed against him.
When Grant was asked by the magistrate whether additional charges had been filed, he responded in the negative. As a result, Sobers renewed his bail application, which was successful.
