Police arrest 2 in pundit's killing, mother-in-law charged

UPDATED:

Kumarie Maraj, the mother-in-law of the pundit who was shot dead during an apparent robbery at his home in Arouca last month, has appeared in court charged with his murder.

Maraj, 60, of Sampath Street, Five Rivers, and a 22-year-old handyman, Salim Goberdhan, also of Five Rivers, were remanded into custody after appearing in the Arima Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with murdering pundit Sunil Ragbirsingh.

Ragbirsingh, of Sampath Street, was at home with his family on November 25, when four assailants entered, one armed with a gun, and robbed them.

The pundit, the co-founder of the Kali Yatra Foundation, who had just returned home after completing a puja at the Endeavour temple in Chaguanas, was ordered to hand over a safe containing $20,000 and US$5,000 cash and a quantity of jewelry.

Before escaping, the gunman fired a shot hitting Ragbirsingh, who died instantly.

Goberdhan, police said, worked for the pundit’s family.

Both he and Maraj were charged by PC Ricardo Ramdial of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region 2, on Thursday.

They are to return to court in January.

President of the Inter Religious Organisation Archbishop Barbara Gray-Burke condemned the killing, and secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Satnarayan Maharaj also expressed sadness.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The mother-in-law of the pundit who was killed during a home invasion last month has been charged with his murder.

Also charged is a handyman who worked for the family of pundit, Sunil Ragbirsingh, who was shot dead at his Arouca home on November 25.

Ragbirsingh's mother-in-law, Kumarie Maraj, and Salim Goberdhan, appeared in the Arima Magistrates Court this morning.

They have been remanded into custody.