The murder trial of Arshad Ali, who allegedly set fire to a One Mile, Parika home in May, 2006, commenced before Justice James Bovell-Drakes last Monday and has been adjourned for the defence to continue cross-examination of the chief witness.

Arshad Ali

Ali, 32, of Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo was charged with murdering 17-month-old Anida Bowling, 3-year-old Devika Bowling and their 66-year-old grandmother Victoria Benjamin. The accused had appeared before Magistrate Fazil Azeez at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court charged with the murders.

A preliminary inquiry was conducted and Ali was subsequently committed to stand trial in the High Court. Attorney-at-law Bernard De Santos is currently leading Ali’s defence in the High Court.

The matter, last convened on Thursday, was adjourned to Monday when De Santos will continue his cross-examination of the chief witness Onika Thomas. Prithima Kissoon and Zamilla Ally are prosecuting for the state.

It is alleged that on May 9, 2006 at One Mile Parika, East Bank Essequibo Ali set fire to the house. The Bowling sisters and their grandmother perished in the early morning fire. Glarey Bowling, the girls’ mother, was seriously injured and died in December last year.