The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, last week discontinued the charge of discharging a loaded firearm with intent against businessman Mohamed Fawaz Bacchus, who last year had allegedly fired at a man, his son and his daughter-in-law.
Public Relations Officer of the DPP’s office, Liz Rahaman, confirmed to Stabroek News yesterday that the DPP discontinued the matter, adding that it was based on the facts of the case.
A letter written on April 22nd by the DPP and addressed to the Suddie Magistrate Tamieka Clarke, and which was seen by this newspaper, stated that in exercise of the powers conferred on her by Article 187 (1) (c ) of the Constitution she had discontinued the matter.
Last year May this newspaper had reported that an age-old, unresolved land issue resulted in the shooting incident at Fairfield in Region Two, that left three people injured, and the alleged shooter (Bacchus) was taken into police custody.
Roopchand Maraj, his son Satthan Maraj and his daughter-in-law Rajkumarie Ragoobar of Leguan were all shot and had to seek medical attention, this newspaper had reported.
At the time Roopchand Maraj had said that he went to Fairfield where he had several pieces of equipment parked, along with his son and his daughter-in-law. Roopchand Maraj is a contractor and has projects ongoing in Region Two.
The area he had to access had been in dispute, he had related, since two other contractors were claiming it as their land. The issue had also attracted the attention of the Region Two administration and the Good Hope-Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council. The officials had met all the major stakeholders, he had said, and explained to them that everyone would have to have access to the area. Officers from the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission had also reportedly visited the area and surveyed the access pathway and found that it was on the government reserve. However, a miller had blocked the entrance preventing people from using the pathway. The parties were advised to clear the area so everyone could have access.
At the time of the incident, Maraj had said, with the pathway still blocked, his daughter-in-law went live on Facebook. During her live video, the gunman fired almost six shots towards the family. In the video, Ragoobar could be heard screaming and crying.
The trio was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where they were treated and kept under observation. The .32 pistol, which was fired, was seized from the shooter at the time and he was arrested.
