Family agree over doctor’s funeral

IN AN unusual Sunday sitting before Justice Peter Jamadar at the San Fernando High Court, relatives of murder victim Dr Ravi Maharajh and his common-law wife Sumatee Enal, reached an amicable agreement with respect to his funeral and other matters pertaining to his assets. Prior to the agreement between both parties, attorney Dr Charles Seepersad who was counsel for Dr Maharajh’s relatives filed a motion before Justice Jamadar, requesting a variation of the injunction order filed by Enal. However, after two hours of legal arguments between Enal’s attorney Ernest Koylass and Dr Seepersad, the agreement was reached between Enal and Dr Maharajh’s relatives.

Dr Maharajh’s funeral — arranged by his relatives — was due to take place on Saturday, but Enal was granted an injunction last Friday by Justice Jamadar to stop the funeral. At yesterday’s court sitting, Enal and the doctor’s relatives signed a consent order in which she was granted control of Maharajh’s body. As a result, Enal has made arrangements for Dr Maharajh’s funeral service to take place on Wednesday at Maharajh’s Charon Street, San Fernando home. It was also agreed that Maharajh’s relatives would not interfere with Maharajh’s estate which includes the operations of a High Street, San Fernando mall. The injunction, which named Maharaj’s sister Shakuntala Singh, niece Roshni Singh, nephew Kiran Singh and cousin UNC MP Chandresh Sharma, as defendants, was argued by Koylass.

The injunction was served on the defendants by Court Marshals on Friday night and restrained relatives from entering or staying on the Maharajh’s Charon Street residence and/or removing personal property. The injunction stated that the relatives are restrained from molesting or assaulting Enal. It was agreed that relatives would be allowed access to the Charon Street property for Maharajh’s funeral service on Wednesday. The agreement also stated that Enal would vacate the premises after the funeral to allow Maharajh’s relatives to conduct an independent investigation into his murder.

Maharajh, 60, was beaten to death by intruders at his home last Wednesday. His battered body was discovered by Enal at about 1 pm. An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre revealed that he suffered a broken neck and spine. Yesterday, Sharma told reporters that a second autopsy was carried out on Dr Maharajh’s body at Belgove’s Funeral Home, at the request of relatives. However, he said they had not received that report. Sharma said relatives had decided to retain the services of forensic experts and private investigators to conduct an independent investigation into the murder.