Days after he was arrested by the police, Kapildeo Gangadin yesterday ap-peared in court to answer two murder charges including that of businessman, Ganesh Persaud who was stabbed during a robbery at Strathspey, East Coast Demerara (ECD) last Friday.
Gangadin, a 24-year-old resident of Annandale, ECD appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.
He was first read the charge of murdering Persaud during a robbery on October 15, 2021. Gangadin is also accused of murdering Mukesh Mangra in January, 2020.
The unrepresented Gangadin was not required to plead to the indictable charges. He was remanded to prison until January 17, 2022.
Twenty-four-year-old Gangadin of Annandale, ECD was arrested last Friday afternoon, shortly after he allegedly stabbed and robbed Persaud of a gold chain he was wearing.
The incident had occurred around 4.30 pm in Persaud’s family’s electronics store at Strathspey, ECD.
At the time of his arrest, Gangadin had Persaud’s gold chain in his possession. Police had said that Gangadin was questioned and admitted to committing the attack on Persaud.
The police, in a press release had said that investigations revealed that Persaud was inside the electronics store when the suspects entered to enquire about the price of a music box.
Persaud moved from behind the counter to assist the two bandits.
At this point, Gangadin allegedly snatched a gold chain that Persaud was wearing. A scuffle ensued between Persaud and the suspect during which he was stabbed in his neck. The suspects then fled.
Following the stabbing, Persaud managed to make his way to his father, Devin Persaud, who was in a grocery store also operated by the family and informed him of what had happened.
He was rushed to the hospital where he died.
While in custody for Persaud’s murder, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had told Stabroek News that investigators received information that he was also wanted in relation to the murder of Mangra but that he was never apprehended.
As such, Blanhum said Gangadin was questioned and during a video interview he admitted his involvement in Mangra’s murder.
According to Blanhum, Gangadin reportedly told investigators that he only lashed Mangra with a cutlass. After the crime, Gangadin told the police he fled to neighbouring Suriname.
The body of Mangra called ‘Paul”, 27, of Coldingen Squatting Area, ECD was discovered on the evening of January 18, 2020 with multiple stab wounds and lacerations about his body.
Family members had told Stabroek News that they believed that Mangra was attacked and killed during a robbery.
Two men: Vivekanand Ram and Roy Jaglall were subsequently charged with murdering Mangra. They are currently on remand.
