AFC Councillor, father among three charged for vigilante murder

By Leroy Smith

Three persons were remanded to prison this afternoon (Monday, February 20, 2017) for the murder of a 22-year-old East Bank Essequibo Resident just six days ago.

Those remanded are an Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor, 29-year-old Mandy Sukhdeo along with her father 48-year-old Surendra Sukhdeo and a neighbour Rean Ghani.

The three were not required to plea to the indictable charge when they appeared at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool.

The court heard that they murdered 22-year-old Shereffudeen Mohamed of Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo (E.B.E) on Tuesday (February 14, 2017). The three were unrepresented during their appearance.

News Room was previously told that Shereffudeen also called “Sheriff” grew up with the councillor in the village of Ruby, E.B.E.

While the three were being read the charge, members of the community of Ruby, were at the court calling for justice to be served. The residents held placards while others waited patiently to hear the ruling.

Mandy was observed by this publication crying as she wrapped her arms around her father in the prisoners holding area before she was escorted back to the detention area awaiting her transfer to the News Amsterdam Prison. The two men were escorted to the Camp Street Jail.

They will return to court on April 18, 2016.

Added to that, the man who claimed that he was innocent and was only guilty of videoing the beating was also charged. HE is the number 3 accused.

News Room previously reported that “Sheriff” was beaten with pieces of wood by Ms. Sukhdeo and Mr. Sukhdeo and then tied up on Tuesday last.

According to persons familiar with the details of the incident that the 22-year-old was joking with the woman when she became annoyed, after he grabbed her bag in a joking manner and ran a short distance. However, when he attempted to return the bag to the woman, she refused to collect same and proceeded to inform her father and brother who then chased the man around the village. They eventually cornered him, tied him up and thrashed him.

The man was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.