Ed Ahmad and Jagdeo

A 64-year-old Pandit was on Monday jailed for one year after he was found guilty of a fraudulent conversion charge by Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Pandit Krishna Lall Persaud, of Area M Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was placed before the Court on the charge which stated that between July 1, 2013 and July 31, 2015 while being solely entrusted with US$8000 for safekeeping by Pandit Mavlankar Nohar, he fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit. During the trial, the Court heard that the Virtual Complainant and the defendant were known to each other as they were from the same religious fraternity. Police Prosecutor Adduni Innis, in presenting the case to the Court, gave evidence to show that the VC was an overseas-based Guyanese, who usually travelled to Guyana and spent time at the defendant’s home. The Court was told that during the period in question, the VC gave the defendant US$8000, which is equivalent to G$1,600,000, for safekeeping. When the VC returned to Guyana and requested that the money be returned, the defendant told him that he kept the money hidden in a plastic bag which his wife accidentally burnt. A report was made and the defendant was arrested and charged. In his defence, the defendant stated that the VC travelled to Guyana from time to time as he was constructing a house at Grove, EBD. He stated that the VC and he had an arrangement whereas the VC would stay at his home for a monthly cost of US$600, which is equivalent to G$120,000. The Pandit stated that the VC had left US$7000 with him; however, he had returned that sum. He further related that the VC asked him to borrow a sum of cash, but he refused as he did not have the amount requested. He further added that it was his opinion that the VC made the false allegation as he owed him US$20,000 in lodging debts. The Magistrate did not believe this and found the defendant guilty as charged. She took into consideration his age and other mitigating factors and sentenced him to one year in prison.

Jagdeo boasts of being credible; says the people want PPP back in office