-another still in custody
One of the two East Coast Demerara businessmen held in connection with last week’s execution of salt fish exporter Rajendra Motilall Sonilall was released from custody yesterday.
A senior police officer told Stabroek News the man, who was released on substantial bail, was held last Friday. The other businessman was held on Saturday and up to late yesterday afternoon he was still being questioned by investigators.
One of the men had outstanding money, which amounted to millions, for Sonilall while the exporter owed the other a large sum. The senior officer said that ranks were still taking statements and have not found any leads that could reveal the shooter’s identity.
Meanwhile, a post mortem examination performed on Sonilall yesterday revealed that he died from shock and haemorrhage, due to multiple gunshot wounds. He is to be cremated today.
According to reports, the gunman pumped four bullets into Sonilall as he sat alone under a shed near his Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara business place around 7:30 last Thursday night. He was reportedly shot twice to the head, once to the throat and another bullet pierced his stomach. Nothing was stolen from him.
The assailant was said to be cloaked in a coat and had his face covered. After shooting Sonilall, the gunman walked towards the Railway Line and boarded a car that was waiting for him.
Relatives told this newspaper that the only problem with the law that he had was a gun possession matter which was before the court. They had opined that it was someone who was unwilling to pay off his debt that carried out the killing.
According to the police on May 29 last, Sonilall was charged with possession of a firearm without licence after a 12-gauge shotgun was found at his home by the lawmen. He was on $300,000 cash bail in the matter which was continuing before the court at Sparendaam.
The man’s wife Zaleen had said that he had returned from a Lethem trip the pervious week acting strangely and when she questioned him he complained about persons owing him large amounts of money. He did not reveal the amount but one relative had said that one debtor owed in the vicinity of $8M.
