A taxi driver who is accused of punching Alberttown handyman Tikaram Sukhdas, who collapsed and died shortly after, is in police custody as the man’s death continues to be investigated.
Acting Commander of Region 4(a) Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram, when contacted, stated that police are awaiting a post-mortem examination, expected to be done on Wednesday, to reveal the man’s cause of death before moving ahead.
Sukhdas, also known as “John,” 53 of First Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, was said to be on his way home when the fatal encounter occurred around 9 pm on Sunday.
According to information received by this newspaper, Sukhdas was hit by an individual who was drinking alcohol.
An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, had said that Sukhdas approached a group of men who were consuming alcohol in the vicinity of Light and First streets, Alberttown.
It was at that point one of the individuals from the group got up and punched the man in his head. As a result of the punch, he fell to the ground in an unconscious state.
The eyewitness added that the suspect and the other men immediately fled the scene and it was he who called for Emer-gency Medical Technicians. However, he was informed that there was no available team and he was asked to seek help to take the man to the hospital.
Not long after, he said, the police arrived at the scene and began processing it as the man remained motionless.
According to David Raggobeer, a friend of the dead man, he was informed that Sukhdas was on his way home when he was struck.
Raggobeer said the deceased, who normally drank alcohol, was walking home when he “staggered” in the middle of the road and into the path of a car coming down the one-way access road.
The man said he was told an argument ensued between the two individuals after which the driver of the car punched Sukhdas, causing him to fall.
A bystander stated that the deceased was left on the street for at least two hours after which police officers arrived.
Sukhdas, a father of four, was described as a friendly individual who was a handy boy to everyone.
