Pastor says wife-killer was a gentle person

PASTOR at the Open Bible Church Andy Dhipraj, who officiated at yesterday’s funeral service for wife-killer Pooran Dalchan, described him as a “kind-hearted and gentle person who was a true friend and a giver.” Dalchan — who in a fit of rage, stabbed his wife and mother of his four children, Reena Dalchan, 41, three weeks ago, then jumped from the bannister of his in-laws’ home in an apparent suicide bid — died on Wednesday morning of a heart attack after being discharged from San Fernando General Hospital and taken to the Freeport police station where he was formally charged with his wife’s murder. While at hospital, Dalchan, who was paralysed from the neck down, due to the fall, had repeatedly said he was glad his wife was dead and also wanted to die.

He was cremated at the Caroni cremation site following yesterday’s simple but highly emotional funeral service at his Chrissie Street, Enterprise, Chaguanas home. And, as if grieving for its master, a pet parrot named “Polly” spent several minutes during the funeral service perched on the simple, white casket which contained Dalchan’s body. The pet bird, which was brought out by relatives to view its master’s body for the last time, was seen closing its eyes as it stood on the edge of the casket near Dalchan’s face. The sad-looking bird, who usually slept in Dalchan’s bedroom, stared at its master’s face for the ten minutes it was allowed to stay on the casket. Also sitting next to the casket, in mournful vigil, were Dalchan’s two daughters, Asha, 22, and Natasha, 17, who sobbed quietly as they scratched Polly’s head as though comforting the bird. Dalchan’s son, Andy, 21, sat amongst the small gathering of mourners. Missing was the couple’s fourth child, Marsha, who is married and currently lives in New York. The 46-year-old fisherman was discharged from San Fernando General Hospital on Tuesday night and was taken to the Freeport police station via ambulance. Seven hours after Dalchan was charged with murdering his wife, he suffered heart failure and was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Centre where he died.