A La Bonne Intention (LBI) family is seeking answers from the police after a relative who was in police custody ended up hospitalised in a critical state at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit is Kallicharran Sawak called ‘Danny’ of Lot 3, LBI, East Coast Demerara. While in police custody, Sawak suffered injuries to his head and was taken to the hospital where he was admitted, his family said.
Police have launched an investigation.
The man’s sister, Shivani told Stabroek News that her brother was arrested last Thursday after he was misbehaving while heavily intoxicated. She said in a bid to bring some peace, she accompanied her mother to the Beterverwagting Police Station where they made a report. Her brother was subsequently arrested. On Thursday night, she added, her brother was transferred to the Sparendaam Police Station where he stayed until it was time for court. On Tuesday, the sister said, he was expected to be charged in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court but the matter was called and put down. After it was called for the second time, she said they were informed by the Magistrate that her brother had been hospitalised.
With the new information, the sister said, she immediately went and enquired from the police what had transpired. At the station, she was told that her brother was in a critical state after he sustained injuries that were self-inflicted.
“We don’t know what happen, but we need answers… nobody can give account for what happened while he was at the station,” the distraught sister said as she fought back tears.
“The police said he was making noise and misbehaving in the lock up and they moved him to another cell and he was alone, they said he injured himself. I don’t think he can do that to himself,” she said.
From visits to the hospital, she said, they learnt he was bleeding from his eyes and ears and there was swelling of the brain. “No one can give an account of what happened and we need answers. He went in good, walk in good with not a mark of violence about his body but he is now hospitalised,” the sister lamented.
Commander of ‘C’ Division, Calvin Brutus yesterday told Stabroek News that upon learning of Sawak’s case, an investigation was immediately launched.
“The Deputy Commander [of ‘C’ Division R. Stanley] is heading the investigations. A number of statements were already taken from ranks and other prisoners who were present,” Brutus said yesterday when contacted on the matter.
The commander explained that after the investigation is completed, they will be seeking legal advice.
The sister stated that while they were at the court, she had heard someone screaming but was unsure if it was her brother. She also recalled seeing the policemen lifting “a person that was bleeding and was taking him to the hospital but I didn’t recognise him.”
Meanwhile, attorney Anil Nandlall who is offering legal advice to the family, told reporters that he is prepared to challenge the findings of the police investigation in the High Court and seek compensation for the family.
He described the situation as “another manifestation of gross human rights violation,” and called on the police to conduct a professional and transparent, independent investigation. He also said that the family will be lodging a complaint with the Police Complaints Authority.
“This is not a new situation where people are taken into police custody and they end up with serious injuries. This is now a serious matter and no one can give an explanation on (how) these injuries were sustained. The injuries were sustained while in police custody and therefore the police force have to give an account in relation to how these injuries were incurred. Once a person is in police custody, they become responsible while that person remains in police custody,” Nandlall said.
“Somebody has to be [disciplined] because it is happening with too much frequency in the state,” he added.
