Kirpalani’s clerk, aunt charged in $17M robbery

Dec 28, 2013 News

Bail for store clerk of Kirpalani , Rajiv Rajesh Singh, was yesterday set at $500,000 when he and his alleged ‘accomplices’ appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for stealing millions from the store.
It was the first hearing for Howard Rambarose, Rajiv Rajesh Singh, and Alistair Naughton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when they faced indictable Robbery Under Arms charges. The trio was told that they would not be allowed to plea at that hearing.
The three were accused of holding up Mahesh Chetrani with a handgun on December 20, last, in Georgetown and getting away with $17,250,000; monies belonging to the renowned business owner Shamdas Kirpalani.
The prosecution which was headed by Corporal Bharat Mangru, relayed that around 8:15 hours on that day, Singh was in the company’s vehicle with the store’s manager en route to the Bank of Baroda.
Mangru said that Singh was carrying a carton containing the hefty sum when he was held up by Rambarose and Naughton who were armed with handguns. The money was to be deposited. According to the prosecution, they were, however later arrested and charged for the crime.
The store clerk was represented by Defence Attorney Peter Hugh, who told the court that his client who resides at 216 Laing Avenue, West La Penitence, Georgetown has been working with the establishment for the past six years and during his tenure there has never been a complaint against him.
Hugh said that after the robbery, his client reported to the Brickdam Police Station and was interrogated by the police. He added that Singh made a statement and that the police collected his cellular phone before he was released.
The lawyer said that on Christmas Eve (December 24), while his client was at work, police ranks arrested him and took him to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Eve Leary where they proceeded to beat him with a baton to sign a statement.
Hugh claimed that Singh’s body bore visible marks of violence and further stated that he is unaware of how his client was charged for robbing ‘himself’ since he was tasked to deposit the money.
He made an application for bail to be granted to his client and lamented that he has thus far, heard no evidence of an alleged conspiracy.
Representing Rambarose was Attorney at Law Clive Forde, who stated that his client has an alibi. He said that on that day, his client was on his way to the court to face charges which were subsequently discharged Monday, last.
Forde made an application for bail to either be granted to his client in a reasonable sum or for his client to be placed on his own recognizance (self-bail).
Meanwhile, Naughton who was unrepresented by counsel told the court that he is a taxi driver who resides at Phase Two, East La Penitence, Georgetown.
During the hearing, the prosecutor stated that none of the accused was identified but a total of $711,000 was retrieved from Rambarose and Naughton.
Receiving the loot
Meanwhile, the aunt of the store clerk was also brought before the Magistrate to be arraigned for allegedly receiving a part of the loot.
The Prosecution claimed that Joan Persaud, in Georgetown, received $370,000 on December 20, despite knowing it to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
The woman who is a 55-year-old security guard shares a residence at Laing Avenue with her nephew Rajiv Rajesh Singh. She pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor objected to bail being issued to the woman citing the quantity of cash involved. He said too that she is a flight risk and opined that if granted bail she would not return to face her charges.
Chief Magistrate’s position on bail
In response, the Chief Magistrate refused bail to Rambarose and Naughton and they were remanded to prison to await their next court date. However, bail was set at $500,000 and $100,000 for the store clerk and his aunt respectively.
They will make their next court appearance on January 14, 2014.

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Kirpalani’s clerk, aunt charged in $17M robbery

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