Lawyer writes DPP, PCA, Top Cop to initiate inquest

Death in Police lockupsAttorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall has written the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Police Complaints Authority and Police Commissioner Leslie James as he requested an investigation into the death of 39-year-old Lallbachan Bachan, who died in Police-lockups on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).Deceased: Lallbachan BachanThese letters were written on behalf of the deceased’s wife, Samanta Elizabeth Bachan, who had positioned her determination for justice and to know what happened on the night her husband was killed.These calls mounted after photos of the deceased demonstrated multiple injuries about the body. According to the lawyer, credible sources suggested that officers on duty during the night of Bachan’s death were imbibing at the Suddie Police Station.Therefore, a “comprehensive and professional” investigation would provide clarity into what actually transpired.Guyana Times understands that Bachan was arrested on June 28, 2019, at Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast. He died during the night on June 30.Last week the family of Bachan sought legal assistance from Nandlall to pursue to matter.Samantha stated that her husband was arrested on June 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was placed on $20,000 bail at the Suddie Police Station and was told to appear before the District Court on June 20.However, when her husband appeared at the court on the given date, the matter was postponed to June 28. He was, however, unable to attend court on that date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.She explained that on the said date, the police visited their home, where they allegedly dragged him into the van and transported him to the police station.The widow said her mother-in-law took dinner for him later in the evening but was prevented by the police from visiting him.The widow said she was finally granted permission to see her husband on Sunday, who enquired about his kids and complained again of feeling unwell.On July 1, she recounted that as the family was preparing to visit the police station, they received news that he had died. She explained that she rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where she observed her husband bleeding from his head, which was also swollen. This left them to believe that the man was beaten.After the incident, Police, in a release to the media, said that the man’s body bore no marks of violence. But contrary to this, the family had photographs showing what appeared to be marks of violence.The police also said that Bachan was the lone prisoner in the cell. A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Nehaul Singh on the man’s body gave the cause of death as asphyxiation.Meanwhile, the lawyer is arguing that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is responsible for the safety of persons in custody and must be answerable when such situations occur.Moreover, he told this publication that it is illegal for relatives to be prevented by the police from visiting their imprisoned family member.“It’s an absolute abuse of power and absolute abuse of the constitutional rights of citizens of this country to deny access to them while they are in the lockups…the law will determine what compensation [the family gets]. You ask for an amount and you now have to prove that you are entitled to that. If you prove, for example, the police are liable, right away you get a quantum and then you build on that,” he stressed.