Cops: Seema is a big girl

SINCE star murder witness Seema Sookdeo is not being held against her will, police are unable to take her out of the house in which she is currently staying, to return home to her family. A senior policeman told Newsday yesterday the hands of the police “were tied” since they were not able to press charges against the persons where Sookdeo is now residing, because she (Sookdeo) is 16 years old and therefore cannot be protected under the law as a minor. According to the senior officer, the Couva police spoke to Seema Thursday and are satisfied she is in a safe place. “We are satisfied she is not missing and she is safe and well where she is. She is not a minor and we cannot limit her movements,” the senior cop said. Seema, 16, witnessed the killing of her brother on August 15 outside their home at Seventh Street, Dow Village, New Settlement in California. The alleged murderer is Seema’a 14-year-old ex-boyfriend, with whom she was having a heated argument when Shivanand intervened.

According to reports, as Shivanand attempted to protect his sister, the accused dealt him a stab in the chest. Shivanand subsequently died at hospital. Yesterday, Sookdeo’s grandmother Bissoondaye Dhanesar said she was longing to have personal contact with Seema. She said as reports circulated Thursday that the 16-year-old girl was missing, Seema contacted her family and promised to visit, but the teenager never turned up. “I waited all night to see her. The person she is staying with is living right up the road, so I don’t know why he does not bring her to see her family. I want to see her or at least hear her voice. Her sister, Trishma, is waiting to talk to her,” the elderly woman sobbed. Dhanesar said when Seema left two Fridays ago after a prayer service to commemorate Shivanand’s death, she did not know the teenager had had an argument with one of her elder relatives.