A former manager of the Avinash Complex found himself in a city court yesterday charged with stealing over $17 million worth of fabric and flooring material from his employer, Malcolm Panday, while two others were charged with receiving some of the stolen items.
Heeralall David, of 134 Zorg En Hoop, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, was accused of stealing $17,419,600 worth in items from businessman Panday, including 320 rolls of checked polyester, 110 rolls of rubber tiles, 110 rolls of brocade, 170 rolls of sheeting and 160 rolls of vinolay.
Rafeek Mursalin, 58, of 272 Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, was charged with receiving property thought to be stolen from Panday. The property was said to be valued at $1,835,880.
Dharmendra Mohan, 47, of 134 Zorg En Hoop, was also charged with receiving stolen items.
These items were quoted as valuing $369,240 and are also suspected to be the property of Panday.
All three men pleaded not guilty to the charges read.
The court heard that there is still an ongoing investigation into the theft of over $100 million in items.
Attorney Bernard DaSilva, who represented David and Mohan, made an application for reasonable bail to be granted to his clients, while telling the court that Panday had made violent threats against David’s family. DaSilva pleaded with Magistrate Ann McLennan not to allow the alleged value of the items stolen to influence her decision to grant bail and he stated that the figure stated was unreliable and had in fact been changed at least three times.
On behalf of Mohan, the attorney informed the court that his client was a GuySuCo labourer, had no previous run-ins with the law and was not a flight risk.
Mursalin was unrepresented.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to DaSilva’s bail application, citing the seriousness of the charge, and pointing out that there was an ongoing investigation into the theft of over $100 million worth of items. Jones also stated that David had given a different address to the police, which he suggested had been done intentionally and was an indication of the man’s cunningness.
DaSilva addressed Jones’ accusation regarding his client’s alleged crafty ways by informing the court that at the time the man had spoken to the police, he was residing in his employer’s compound and so any difference in information was not intended to be deceitful.
Magistrate McLennan, after consideration, ordered the defendants to be remanded until their next court hearing, which will occur on September 29 at the Blairmont Magistrates’ Court.
