First murder charge dropped

THE charge against Seeromanie Maharaj-Naraynsingh and businessman Elton Ramasir for the murder of Dr Chandra Naraynsingh had been laid twice, and yesterday, the first charge was withdrawn by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The first charge was preferred in November, when Maharaj-Naraynsingh and Ramasir were both arrested for the June 29, 1994, murder of Chandra. When Prof Vijay Naraynsingh was arrested in December, all three were charged with the killing. Seeromanie is the third wife of Prof Naraynsingh.

The preliminary inquiry into the charge began in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. In March, Seeromanie and Ramasir were committed by Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington to stand trial. The magistrate discharged Naraynsingh after finding that a prima facie case had not been made out. With the first charge still pending, Maharaj-Naraynsingh and Ramasir were taken from prison, where they have been remanded, to the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, where they appeared before Wellington.

Deputy DPP (South) Roger Gaspard made an application to the magistrate to have that charge withdrawn, and Wellington complied with the request. Maharaj-Naraynsingh’s attorney, Prakash Ramadhar, asked the magistrate about the notes of evidence involving the completed preliminary murder inquiry. Ramadhar said he understood the notes were in the process of being typed. Ramadhar said, “I understand there is not much more to be done. It is in everybody’s interest to have this done. You may be able to assist in this.”