$.5m bail for mom of two charged for 3 guns

UPDATED:

A mother of two was granted $.5 million bail yesterday on a charge of possession of three guns.

Sinear Kasha Christy Maharaj, 27, of Cedar Grove, Hermitage Village, near San Fernando, was in February last year convicted for gun possession and fined $8,000. She is a mother of two girls, ages six and nine. On Friday last she was arrested again by police who charged her with possession of three guns.

Yesterday, Maharaj was taken before senior magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine who read the charge to her that she was found in possession of two Smith and Wesson .38 and a .357 Magnum revolvers and a .38 Taurus revolver. She was not charged with possession of any ammunition. Maharaj was arrested at about midday on Friday at her home in Hermitage Village.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge laid by PC Avinash Narine of the San Fernando CID.

Attorney Chantal Paul pleaded for bail and Antoine outlined conditions to the $500,000 bail which she granted.

She instructed Maharaj to report to the San Fernando Police Station on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 6 am and 6 pm. She is to surrender her passport to the Clerk of the Peace in the magistrates’ court until the conclusion of the case.

Police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan told Antoine there was an outstanding warrant since 2006 for Maharaj’s arrest in connection with a summons taken out by her mother for unruly behaviour. Antoine dismissed that charge yesterday against her.

Paul asked for a cash alternative to the $.5 million bail but this request was declined by Antoine who said there is a proliferation of illegal guns in the country. Maharaj is expected to reappear on February 19.