Hours after businessman Vijay Nanan allegedly shot a moneylender, he was examined by a doctor who found no physical injuries on him, a jury heard yesterday. Dr Clem Ragoobar gave this evidence in the San Fernando First Criminal Court where Nanan is on trial before Justice Prakash Moosai for Angella Ragoonanan-Singh's murder. Ragoonanan-Singh was shot when she and her son Devon, then 18, went to Nanan's store at Pointe-a-Pierre Road, San Fernando, to collect money owed to her by Nanan and his estranged wife, Kerry. State attorney Jeron Joseph had said that Nanan told police that he was beaten by Ragoonanan-Singh and her son. Ragoobar, then a District Medical Officer, said that on February 7, 2006, he saw Ragoonanan-Singh's body lying face up on the floor of the store.
He said he observed a gunshot wound to her right chest. He ordered the removal of her body. Later that day, around 3 pm, he said Cpl Griffith brought Nanan to his office in Marabella. He testified that Nanan complained of pain on the left side of the neck, back and head. But, he said, there were no visible bruises or abrasions. "There was full range of movement of the neck and mild tenderness on the left side of the neck and back," he said. However, Ragoobar, in answer to Joseph, said he could not independently confirm that the accused was in pain. However, he said he gave him three painkillers.
But, in cross-examination by attorney Ian Brooks, Ragoobar said a "chook in the face and small taps behind the head" may not cause bruising, but it may result in pain. Another witness, Kareem Ewing, said he would usually go with Ragoonanan-Singh to collect money from Nanan. On the day before the killing, he said, Ragoonanan-Singh and the accused were involved in heated argument in her car over the money. Put to him in cross-examination by Brooks that she locked the doors and threatened to take Nanan to be beaten and killed, Ewing said: "No, sir." The matter was adjourned early because attorneys complained about an "unbearable heat" caused by a malfunctioning air-conditioning system. The trial continues today.
