A TAXI driver was on Monday charged with the brutal murder of 86-year-old businesswoman, Bibi Ramjit, and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Rishiram Singh was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The alleged murder occurred on October 25, 2020 at Ramjit’s Lot 63, La Grange, Old Road, West Bank Demerara residence between 15:00hrs and 17:00hrs.

Investigators believe that Singh had taken a woman to Ramjit’s home prior to the discovery of her body, which is why the murder charge was laid against him.

Ramjit, who lived alone, was the owner of a grocery shop located on the lower flat of her house, and according to reports, on October 25, around 15:00 hours, a customer went there to purchase some eddoes, but having found that the she did not have enough change to give the man, an arrangement was made between he and the shopkeeper for him to return later for his money.

When the man did return about two hours later, he reportedly observed that both the shop door as well as the back door of the upper flat of the woman’s house had been prised open, so he called out for the elderly woman, but got no response.

On deciding to enter the house to see if she was okay, he discovered Ramjit’s lifeless body on the bed with her feet and hands bound, and immediately raised an alarm, whereupon the police were summoned to the crime scene.

The deceased was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The matter has been adjourned to December 3, and was transferred to the Wales Magistrate’s Court.