A man and his mother were yesterday charged over a pistol and a large cache of ammunition that were found during police searches in the city on Friday.
Satyendra Khemraj and Chandrana Khemraj, 59, faced a total of four charges when they appear-ed before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magis-trates’ Court 1.
They are jointly charged with possession of a 9mm pistol that was loaded with 15 rounds of matching ammunition as well as with the possession of 22 rounds of 9mm ammunition without either being a licensed firearm holder at the time.
Satyendra was charged separately with possession of 1,371 7.62 x 39 rounds of ammunition and 100 .233 rounds of ammunition.
According to police, on February 20, acting on information received, they went to Austin Place, Campbellville, and search-ed a house owned by Satyendra. The building housed a doctor’s clinic and other business places.
In Satyendra’s presence, they say, a quantity of ammunition was found in a sealed box.
In addition, police say they went to Satyendra’s Subryanville home, where he resides with his wife and where his mother was staying at the time. At this location, as police ranks were entering the house along with Satyendra, a woman, said to be Chandrana, was seen allegedly throwing an object through the window. After investigations, the object was revealed to be a 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition in a magazine.
Both defendants were represented by attorney Nigel Hughes at their arraignment.
Hughes told the court that at the time of the discovery, Chandrana, who is officially a resident of Fort Island, Essequibo, was staying at her daughter’s place.
He said she was not physically found with the ammunition. He further said he was advised also that no caution statement was given and she had no idea of the allegation laid against her.
Hughes further noted that two other persons were also arrested at the same time for the offence but were subsequently released on bail.
He noted that he did not wish to stress much on Satyendra but rather his mother, who suffers from low blood pressure, which sometimes causes her to lose consciousness. He pleaded with the court to take into consideration the facts stated and grant bail in a reasonable sum.
But prosecutor Michael Grant objected to bail and he said the firearm is currently being tested to see if it was used in any robbery or other offences. Grant further noted for bail to be granted in these offences, special reasons must be advanced to the court.
He also said the other persons who were arrested were released on bail based on a confession made by the two defendants. As a result, the magistrate refused bail and remanded the Khemrajs to prison until March 3.
