By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Did slain lawyer, Taradath Singh, know his killer (s)?
That was the question on everyone’s lips at his funeral service on Sunday after hearing a voice note he left days before he was killed on October 27.
But several questions remain unanswered over his killing.
Let us look at the first attempt on his life.
As he reached his Penn Trace, Cunupia, home on September 28, someone emerged from nearby bushes and fired several shots at him. For Singh, it was his lucky day. He escaped unscathed. The shooter escaped.
Who and what could have caused someone to try and kill Singh?
Was it someone from his past as a policeman? Was it someone he represented as a lawyer? Was it someone dissatisfied with his representation in his legal practice? Was it someone close to him?
That attempt on September 28 was a wake-up call for the Chaguanas attorney. He should have known that the attempt failed and maybe, “they” would try again. Sunshine Today was told that Singh confided with persons close to him as to who it may have been.
But while a report was made to the police, Singh did not want police protection. Former colleagues of his in the TTPS as well as relatives, pleaded with him to get protection. But he refused. One week after the attempt, Singh continued his normal routine.
Let us look at the day he was killed – October 27.
Singh went to the Power House Gym at the corner of the Caroni Savannah Road and ASJA Avenue, Charlieville on that afternoon. Guess what! Singh left his licensed firearm in the vehicle. He returned from the gym, passed his vehicle straight, and went to a stand pipe at the corner to fill a water bottle.
Around 6.25 pm, a man dressed in a coverall crossed Caroni Savannah Road and approached Singh. He fired at Singh who ran. But Singh was hit and collapsed at the entrance of the ASJA Compound. He died on the spot. The killer simply walked away and escaped.
From the way the killing took place, Singh wasn’t a worried man. He went about his routine as normal…work, gym, home.
But from his relatives and close relatives, Singh knew that another attempt would be made on his life, based on the voice note he left days before his killing.
Part of the message read:
“Just a message to all of you who are in trouble. It is not easy. It is not easy at all. Life is about joy, sorrow, crying, pain. It is all part of life. Some days you have cause to smile and some days to cry. It’s all part of living and dying.
It’s all part of the package of life. Don’t let the moment determine the next day or the next day. It will pass whatever it is. Just stay strong and live. Enjoy. Love. Work hard.”
It would seem after the attempt on September 28, Singh spent the time reconnecting with relatives, renewing his faith in God, and preparing a final message to his grieving family, friends, colleagues and clients.
But with a mysterious death like this, there is going to be rumours passing. The death could pass off as a mystery novel, waiting for readers to get to the final chapter.
That could only be solved by members of the Homicide Bureau, searching for clues. So far, they have little to go on. But the officers in Central are determined to find a motive…and the killer, including the mastermind behind it.
Time will tell. Remember the killing of special prosecutor, Randall Hector, remains unsolved.
Who dun it?
