A post-mortem examination conducted on the body of Kalicharran Sawak of Lot 3 La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara, who died after spending several days in Police custody revealed that he died from multiple injuries due to blunt trauma about the body.
Dead: Kallicharran Sawak
The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh on Wednesday.
The injured man succumbed to his injuries on Monday after undergoing treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Reports were that he was misbehaving at home on January 17, which prompted relatives to summon the police.
His sister, Shavani Sawak and mother, Ramdai Sawak both posited that the 39-year-old man left the house in perfect health when he was taken into custody.
They said that the police transferred him over to the Sparendaam Police Station and he was scheduled to make an appearance at the court but failed to show up. They were later told that he was in the Intensive Care Unit at the GPHC in critical condition.
His sister had told Guyana Times that the hospital informed relatives that her brother was suffering from internal bleeding and Police could not give account for what transpired. The Police told family members that the now dead man was placed in a cell alone where he injured himself.
“No one could give account what happening to my brother. The police said my brother was making noise in the lockup and they put him in a room by himself and he hurt himself,” said the aggrieved woman.
On Wednesday, she said the autopsy proved that these injuries were inflicted by someone and contradict what was being related by Police. The family is calling for a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for his death.
“The post mortem proves that my brother was severely beaten. He suffered from multiple injuries. How did this happen?” said Shavani Sawak questioned.
Legal advice sought from Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall stated that the police must give account for persons who are under their supervision.
“This is a serious matter. The young man is critical and no one can give an explanation as to how these injuries however serious they are, were sustained. Importantly, they were sustained whilst in Police custody. Therefore, the Police Force has to give an account in relation to how these injuries occurred,” said Nandlall.
He also called on the police to conduct an independent probe.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Leslie James on Wednesday told reporters that independent investigations have been launched into the matter.
“Even before we obtained the information about his death, an impartial investigation was done. The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has engaged in an investigation and we’ve taken statements from prisoners who were in custody during that time…,” the Top Cop stated.
He went onto note, however, that if officers are implicated in the incident then they will be sanctions.
“I would be quiet frank, my information is indeed that he was kept, I think, just over the 72 hours period and that is in breach. So of course, wherever the chips fall we will pursue and whoever is responsible will be faced with sanctions…Whenever he have breaches like those, we take immediate action so its expected there would have been some initial reassignments,” Commissioner James stated.
