Former Region Six Regional Executive Officer Dr Veerasammy Ramayya was today remanded to prison on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, despite appealing for bail on medical grounds and telling the court that he feared he could die in custody.
Ramayya appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Albion Magistrate’s Court in connection with the August 8 collision on the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, which claimed the life of 42-year-old businessman Ishwarnauth “Ajay” Bisram.
Police Prosecutor Corporal Leon Jones objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and concerns that Ramayya might not return to court. He said the prosecution had received information that Ramayya intended to leave Guyana the following week. The case file was complete, Jones added.
In response, Ramayya presented a travel document and said he intended to visit the United States for medical check-ups. Magistrate Matthias requested documents confirming the appointments, but he was unable to produce them.
Ramayya appealed for bail pending trial because of his medical condition. He also told the court that he was severely depressed and feared he could die if sent to prison.
His application was refused, and he was remanded until December 4 for further proceedings.
Ramayya, who was reported to be 79 at the time of the collision, had initially been detained and released three days later on $200,000 station bail.
Kiskadee Watch reported on September 3 that the police file had been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on August 18. DPP Communications Specialist Liz Rahaman confirmed the submission after Bisram’s family complained that they had received no update on the investigation.
According to the police account previously reported, Ramayya’s vehicle struck Bisram while he was attempting to cross the road at Nigg. Bisram was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Speaking to the Berbice media after his release on station bail, Ramayya said he had been returning from a wake at Reliance, East Canje, and was travelling east when Bisram crossed from the southern to the northern side of the road.
He said Bisram came into contact with the vehicle’s right front light. Ramayya said he stopped approximately 200 feet away, returned to the scene and sent an acquaintance to report the collision at the Albion Police Station.
Ramayya also denied allegations that he had been intoxicated. He said a police breathalyser test recorded 11 micrograms of alcohol, below the prescribed limit, and maintained that he did not drink.
Bisram, a businessman of Cumberland, East Canje, was formerly of the Belvedere Squatting Area, Corentyne.
His eldest daughter, Geetanjalie, previously told Kiskadee Watch that the family was struggling following the loss of its main breadwinner. She had recently completed her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations, while her younger siblings attended Berbice High School. His relatives had called for justice.
Discussion