Relatives of US citizen charged over “fake kidnapping” report

Two relatives of US citizen Rohan Kirpaul Mangra – who was feared kidnapped but was found alive at a city hotel – were charged for giving the Police false information when they appeared on Thursday at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

Indira Gilda, 38, and 52-year-old Lalta Gilda, both self-employed, of University of Guyana (UG) Road, Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, denied the charges.
They were each ordered to post bail in the sum of $50,000 by Magistrate Alisha George. Their case will continue on May 13.
Mangra, who was feared to have been kidnapped, was found “alive and well”, Police Headquarters said in a statement on March 20. As such, ranks of the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters arrested several persons as investigations into the matter continue.
Mangra’s relatives had reported that he had been missing since March 15.
Relatives made a report to the Police on March 17, stating that he had left home two nights prior and had not returned. They also provided Police with a photograph, sent to them via WhatsApp by an unknown person, of Mangra showing his mouth covered with duct tape.

Immediately, Police ranks were assigned to the investigation and several of Mangra’s associates were arrested and questioned.
Consequently, acting on intelligence, investigators went to a hotel on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, where they found Mangra alive and well.
Mangra, when questioned by investigators, revealed that he was not abducted and that he went to the hotel of his own free will. His relatives had put up a $1 million reward for anyone with information on his whereabouts.
The US Embassy here was also reportedly notified about his disappearance.