POLICE have charged a man following investigations into the January 31 road accident in which Vishan Seeram was killed.
Rameshwar Ramdeen, 25, of Lot 16 Caledonia,East Bank Demerara, appeared at the Providence Court, on charges of causing death by dangerous driving and failure to render assistance after the accident on Pearl Public Road, also on the East Bank Demerara. Before Magistrate Leslie Sobers, it was alleged that Ramdeen drove mini-bus BMM 7833 in a manner dangerous to the public and caused the death of Seeram.
Another allegation against Ramdeen is that, having been involved in an accident in which Seeram suffered injuries, the defendant failed to take the injured for medical treatment.
Ramdeen pleaded not guilty to both charges and his lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Zaffar, in an application for reasonable bail, said the defendant has no previous convictions.
Defence counsel contended that Ramdeen could not have rendered any assistance because he, too, was injured and was in an unconscious state.
Zaffar said, the following day, Ramdeen was on his way to hospital when he was arrested by police.
According to the lawyer, Ramdeen was proceeding North along the East Bank Public Road when a truck drove into his path and caused him to lose control of the mini-bus.
Police prosecutor, Corporal Mansfield,  had no objection to bail being granted but requested substantial surety.
However, the magistrate insisted that the defendant’s licence be lodged and the prosecutor informed the court that it is in the custody of the investigating officers but arrangements will be made to comply with the Court’s ruling.
The magistrate said he was reluctant to allow Ramdeen pre-trial freedom because he is a constant road user and sees the lawlessness some mini-bus operators display on the roadways.
Eventually, Magistrate Sobers set bail at $500,000 and postponed the case to March 24.