Police constable Sunil Akaloo and spiritual leader Marlon Lee both appeared before a Sangre Grande Magistrate yesterday charged with the murder of Akaloo's wife Bhasmat Seemungal-Akaloo.
"I did not do it," Akaloo, an officer assigned to the Police Finance Branch, murmured as he was being escorted into the court by heavily-armed colleagues. Both stood before Magistrate Cheron Raphael in the Sangre Grande First Court as the charge of murdering Seemungal-Akaloo was read to them. It is alleged on September 14 and 15 at San Louis Road Extension, Guaico, Sangre Grande, both men, along with other people, murdered Seemungal-Akaloo.
Akaloo, who was unrepresented, indicated that his attorney was out of the jurisdiction and was expected back in the country yesterday. Attorney Indar Jagroo appeared on behalf of Lee and asked the court how many statements were taken from Akaloo. The court prosecutor indicated only one. Both were brought to court by homicide investigators ASP Johnny Abraham, Insp Stanley Ramdeen, Sgt Eric Parks and PC Sunil Ramoutar. The charges were laid by Sgt Beverly Paul. Hours before the accused arrived at the court, scores of onlookers, braving the scorching sun, lined up outside the courthouse, hoping to get a glimpse of the men.
Flashback
?School teacher Bhasmat Seemungal-Akaloo, 44, wife of murder accused Sunil Akaloo, was snatched from her Cunaripo home by four masked men around 5.10 am last week Tuesday. Some six hours later, the mother of a three-year-old girl was found dead with several stab wounds to the neck and hands.
