By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Fareeda Balgobin, 42, and her son Joshua Benny remain in prison, while Rohit Sitahal, was granted bail in the sum of $400,000 on a total of 19 charges relating to the detention of domestic worker, Sabita basdeo.
Sitahal, 22, a labourer, was the only one who appeared before the court on Friday accused of throwing a noxious substance, two charges of inflicting bodily harm, and two further charges.
He was jointly charged with business woÂman Balgobin and Benny, for the offences laid by PC Lee Lum.
While Sitahal appeared virtually before Master Kateisha Ambrose-ÂPersadsingh in the South A Court, the proÂseÂÂcution requested writs of habeas corpus for Balgobin and Benny, who were not present.
Balgobin and Benny were taken into custody on April 11 and have been at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre Arima, under preventive detention orders, which were signed on April 20 by Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander.
Balgobin and Benny were represented by attorneys Keron Ramkhalwhan and Shalini Sankar. Sitahal was unrepresented during the matter.
It was outlined by police prosecutor Sgt Salazar that should bail be a consideration by the court, it should be in proportion to the seriousness of the offences. For throwing a noxious substance, a person can be imprisoned for life.
Ambrose-Persadsingh placed Sitahal on $400,000 bail, with the conditions that he has no communication either directly or indirectly with the basdeo, keep 50 feet away from her, report to the Rio Claro Police Station twice a week, and reside at the address given.
The matter was adjourned to June 10 when following the request for the writs, Balgobin and Benny are expecÂted to appear before the court, along with Sitahal.
It is alleged that during the period June 2019 and April 11, 2026, Basdeo was kept against her will at a house at San Francique, Penal.
