Police charge duo for 2012 Mahaica murder

Following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), detectives have instituted charges against two men who confessed to the murder of Jagdish Dass, 31, of Chelsea Park, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on April 17, 2012.

The suspects – Nankumar Ganesh, 30, of Hill Street, Albouystown, Georgetown and Amarnauth Gopaul, 47, of Section C Chelsea Park, ECD – are expected to make an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts today.

Based on information gathered, Gopaul reportedly contracted Ganesh and a second person to kill Dass since he was having an affair with his brother’s wife. The third suspect, Guyana Times understands, is presently in prison for allegedly killing his wife a few years ago.

A Police source explained that Gopaul paid over $200,000 to the two men and another $300,000 after the job was completed. The Police however, after four years cracked the case after they stumbled upon new evidence which led to the arrest of Gopaul’s sister-in-law. The woman’s husband was also questioned but denied having any involvement in the cold-blooded murder.

It was reported that on April 17, 2012, the gunman and others parked a truck on Mahaica New Road with its hazard lights flashing and pretended that the vehicle had broken down.

The perpetrators were aware that Dass, also a trucker, would pass that route around the same time on his way to Soesdyke/Linden Highway for sand. Upon seeing the truck, Dass reportedly stopped to render assistance since he knew the men. As he exited his truck, he was shot twice to the head.

The men then made good their escape and the man’s body was discovered on the parapet of the Mahaica New Road a few hours later. After the discovery, the dead man’s relatives were holding out that he was killed as a result of the relationship he shared with a woman in the village.

Back then, the woman’s husband and two others were arrested but were released on $100,000 bail each. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum when contacted told Guyana Times that the file was set to the DPP who stated that there was enough evidence to charge the duo for murder.

The Crime Chief added that although the murder occurred four years ago, detectives would have examined all angles and kept the case alive. Blanhum praised the Police ranks who were instrumental in solving yet another cold case. (Bhisham Mohamed)