Judge orders fresh trial for murder/robbery accused

Mahindra Bishundial, who is accused of the November 6, 2012 murder of 57-year-old poultry farm employee, Aga Khan at Busby Dam, Craig, East Bank Demerara, will have to face a fresh trial before another jury.

This was announced by presiding Judge, Justice James Bovell-Drakes on Wednesday after the jury forewoman announced just after two hours of deliberation that the verdict was not unanimous.
The proportion of 10-2 was noted but its breakdown of guilty to not-guilty was not announced in court. Bishundial did not have much reaction when he was told that he will be remanded to prison until another trial comes to the court. He was represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes while State counsels Seeta Bishundial and Mandel Moore prosecuted the case.
The accused man, also called “Tyrone”, was a resident of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He was on trial for over a month after he denied that he murdered Khan during the furtherance of a robbery. The deceased was an employee attached to Edun Poultry Farms and Hatchery.
According to reports, Khan was confronted by several bandits and he handed over a bag. He was subsequently shot and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
It had also been reported that a porter was shot during the ordeal. Police had said that Khan was driving motor lorry GJJ 2806, which was owned by his employer. It was observed that the men walked into the vehicle’s path and approached the now deceased man, ordering that he hand over cash. The Preliminary Inquiry was conducted by former Magistrate Leslie Sobers at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.