The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder charge against Anand Narine and Darrol Compton, the two men accused of killing Babita Sarjou six years ago, began yesterday with the testimony of a policeman.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Rafeek Ali testified in the Georgetown court of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Ali was examined by Police Prosecutor Inspector Neville Jeffers and later cross-examined by defence attorneys Peter Hugh, who is representing Narine, and Nigel Hughes, who is representing Compton.
After yesterday’s hearing, the PI was adjourned to today, when other witnesses will continue on the stand. Skeletal remains, believed to be those of Sarjou, were unearthed in May at the residence of her estranged husband, Narine, in Campbellville.
On the eve of Diwali, November 4, 2010, Sarjou had left her Timehri home, having informed her family that after work she was going to view the annual motorcade with her estranged husband and their then four-year-old son. She had promised she would be back home at around 9 that night. She was never seen or heard from again.
Sarjou’s estranged husband had faced intense scrutiny over her disappearance as there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship, which was evidenced by several reports made at the Kitty Police Station and the Timehri Police Station.
The husband was also charged with the offence of exposing pictures of Sarjou to the public with a view to corrupt public morals after photographs in which the woman appeared half-naked were displayed around her place of employment in 2010.
