Businessman granted $300,000 bail pending appeal after assault conviction

Jairam Bissessar, the 37-year-old operator of Jagdesh Duck Curry Restaurant & Bar, has been granted bail in the sum of $300,000, as he awaits the hearing and determination of his appeal.
The decision was handed down by the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana on Friday after an urgent application was filed on his behalf.
Bissessar was convicted and sentenced in absentia to one month imprisonment for assaulting Police Corporal Hakim Atkins on January 2.
The incident took place at Lima Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, where Atkins, attached to the Anti-Crime Patrol Divisional Headquarters in Anna Regina, was reportedly carrying out his duties when the altercation occurred.

The case was heard on January 21, at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke. Due to Bissessar’s absence, an ex-parte trial was conducted, and he was found guilty of the charge of assaulting a peace officer, and sentenced to one month of imprisonment.
Following the conviction, Bissessar’s legal team, led by attorneys Bernard Da Silva and Abiola Lowe, swiftly moved to secure his release, filing a Fixed Date Application – Urgent with Notice on January 31, 2025.
Supporting affidavits were submitted by Mala Bissessar on behalf of the applicant and by Ramesh Chattergoon in defence on Friday. The matter was heard before Justices D. Younge and Z. Ally-Seepaul at the Supreme Court, where arguments were presented by both sides.
After reviewing the submissions, the court granted bail in the amount of $300,000, imposing strict conditions. As per the court’s order, Bissessar must surrender his passport and all other travel documents to the Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sub-Registry, Essequibo to ensure he does not leave the jurisdiction while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
The court explicitly warned that failure to comply with these conditions could result in contempt of court proceedings, which may lead to additional imprisonment or confiscation of assets.
With his bail now secured, Bissessar’s legal team is expected to move forward with the appeal process, which could determine whether his conviction stands or is overturned in the coming weeks.