No charge yet in accident allegation against Sugrim

More than a month after    businessman Hareshnarine ‘Chiney’ Sugrim turned himself into police he is still to be charged in relation to the allegation of causing death by dangerous driving against him.

Commander of Police B Division Assistant Commis-sioner Steven Merai told this newspaper yesterday that a file was prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. The file, according to Merai, is still with the DPP.

Rajkumar Basdeo

On January 6 police issued a wanted bulletin for Sugrim following investigations into the incident which caused the death of Rajkumar ‘Roy’ Basdeo.

The incident occur-red at Number 78 Village, Corentyne on January 02. Basdeo, 47, of Line Path, Skeldon was riding a motorcycle when he was allegedly hit by a vehicle, GMM 1564, which was said to be speeding.

Almost a week after the wanted bulletin was issued, Sugrim, accompanied by his attorney, reported to the police.

The 60-year-old man was subsequently released on station bail. Merai had told this newspaper that Sugrim was granted bail due to a certain health problem.

Relatives of the deceased have since raised concerns about the fact that there has been no charge as yet. Basdeo’s sister, Mangaldai Sunthgolam, visited Stabroek News’ office last week to speak out about what she described as a “delay in seeing justice is served”.

Early last week, the woman said, she visited the Springlands Police Station to enquire about the case.

The officer-in-charge, she reported, told her that file had not yet been returned to them by the DPP.

“I been hearing this for weeks and they tell me they can’t explain to me why the file taking so long,” Mangaldai said.

Managaldai noted that it was after much “pushing” by relatives that police issued a wanted bulletin for Sugrim. “We frighten that if we sit and wait on the police then the matter going to just die away like that and we won’t get no justice,” she said.