TAXI drivers must be able to work in peace, Judge Roxanne George announced yesterday as she sentenced two killers to 30 years imprisonment each, telling them that she hopes they would benefit from skills acquired while in jail. Murder accused Anandram Dharamraj, called Alvin, and Naresh Boodhoo, called Allu, had offered a plea of not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter, after their confession statements to the police had been admitted in evidence by Justice George.
Noting that it was said that the accused had come from a poor family, Justice George said that “poverty does not give persons the right to rob and kill people.”
According to the evidence, the woman
taxi-driver, Seeragie Singh, called  Prowell, of Seventh Street, Success, was shot through the mouth, and died from gun-shot injuries.
The judge added,“These two accused collectively acted in the commission of crime. They were in a joint enterprise. They acted together and showed absolutely no mercy to the deceased.”
In narrating the facts of the case, prosecutor, Miss Renita Singh disclosed that the accused had planned the robbery. Boodhoo, the No. 2 accused had a gun. They talked over and planned how they would rob the taxi driver of her gold 192 Carina car.
The accused had requested the taxi to pick them up at a Chinese restaurant. While at the restaurant, Boodhoo had given Dharamraj the gun. Dharamraj then told the taxi driver that they were going to Ogle Airport road to meet a girl.
After the woman drove past all the houses on Ogle road, she enquired where they were going. Boodhoo, from the back seat, grabbed her and choked her. Dharamraj then took the gun from his waist and pointed to her stomach; and she scrambled at his hand.  Boodhoo then pushed her head to the steering wheel and he came out of the car and pulled her from it. She continued to resist and Dharamraj shot her in the mouth.
They then got into the car and drove away. They went to the Beterverwagting park, picked up two friends and drove to Linden.
They then went to the Edge Club, took home the two girls, drove the car 47 miles to Mabura, and hid it in some bushes.
The taxi-driver was 40.
The accused were arrested and charged with murder. They were represented by Mr. Compton Richardson, and Mr. Peter Hugh.
Miss Konyo Sandiford and Miss Renita Singh appeared for the prosecution.