Murder in La Penitence: Alleged mastermind charged with murder, remanded

One week after he was arrested for the brutal murder of 21-year-old Amit Singh, the alleged mastermind, Yogeendra Sukhdeo, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with the indictable offence.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate (ag), Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus where the charge of murder was read to him; Sukhdeo was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to prison until November 28, 2023, when the case will be called again.

The charge stated that on October 24, 2023, at Middle Road, Le Penitence, Sukhdeo murdered Singh during the course of a robbery.

The ex-policeman is represented by attorney Gordon Gilhuys; the State is being represented by Special Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat.

On October 24, Sukhdeo reportedly lured Singh to a family property at Middle Road, La Penitence, under the pretext that he had gold to sell.

Once there, he told detectives that, acting alone, he bludgeoned Singh to the head with a piece of wood and attempted to strangle him. He then wrapped Singh’s body in a sheet and locked the house before leaving with $7.7 million which Singh had on him to pay for the gold.

Hours later Singh’s battered body was found, Police arrested Sukhdeo.

A search was subsequently conducted at Sukhdeo’s 20th Avenue Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara house and the stolen cash was found in his bedroom.

Sukhdeo had implicated three of his employees in the murder. They were arrested for questioning and denied any involvement. The trio were later released from custody after investigators were able to confirm their alibis.

An autopsy revealed that Singh died as a result of multiple injuries including blunt trauma to his head, face and neck as well as multiple fractures.

In addition, Singh sustained broncho aspiration of blood which basically means the inhalation of gastric contents.

Singh and Sukhdeo were business associates who conducted transactions in the past.

Singh’s family owns and operates D. Singh Trading at Campbellville; the young man got involved in the gold business some time ago. The young businessman will be cremated on Wednesday.