Yogeendra Sukhdeo, 24, of Lot 1896 20th Avenue, Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus yesterday on a charge of murder during the course of a robbery.
His defence counsel, former magistrate and attorney-at-law Gordon Gilhuys, told the court that his client had been assaulted by police and that they had also confiscated his car. He also said that he had requested that his client be given medical attention, but that had never happened.
Gilhuys added that his client’s car is being held by the police and requested that the man’s mother be allowed to retrieve it.
According to the facts provided by the prosecutor, on October 24 at 13.30 hours, Sukhdeo was seen with his “friend”, the now-deceased Amit Singh.
After calls to Singh’s phone went unanswered, a missing person’s report was made at 16.00 hours, and an inquiry was launched. Sukhdeo was contacted and taken into custody.
Sukhdeo subsequently took investigators to a residence at Lot 187 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, where Singh’s bludgeoned body was discovered in a pool of blood covered in a white sheet.
ONext, he led ranks to his home in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, where he gave them the sum of $7,791,000. Sukhdeo’s blood-stained clothes were also found by the police, and were taken for forensic examination. In addition, a piece of wood thought to be the murder weapon was recovered
The accused thereafter made a confession that was recorded on camera, the court heard. During the interview with police, he also showed them an injury he sustained while Singh was being bludgeoned to death.
The prosecution then asked for a paper committal to be done.
The magistrate then informed Sukhdeo that cases such as murder do not qualify for bail, and he remained expressionless as the magistrate remanded him to prison.
The matter has been adjourned until November 28 for a report.
It was previously reported by this newspaper that preliminary information revealed that the victim was lured by four suspects to a house at Middle Road, La Penitence under the pretext that they were in possession of gold for sale.
Whilst at the house, the four persons brutally murdered Singh and wrapped his body in a sheet. The suspects then took the cash that the victim had in his possession.
Based on intelligence received, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department arrested one of the perpetrators, Sukhdeo. He then confessed to the crime and assisted the police as the investigation continued. Three other persons were questioned but released. (Mia Anthony)
