– bid to replace court-appointed manager Chandan-Edmond with WIN’s Vishnu Panday surfaces after audit findings

IN AN Affidavit in Reply, sworn on August 3, 2026, court-appointed managers Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Mahendra Mookram have asked the High Court to dismiss an application filed against them, detailing widespread obstruction, a locked-out management office, and financial irregularities involving senior leadership of the Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.
The legal confrontation stems from an October 13, 2025 Order by Justice Gino Persaud in High the Court. The order appointed Chandan-Edmond and Mookram to manage the affairs of the statutory body, compile a membership list, conduct an audit of outstanding accounts within 15 months, and organise elections for a new Executive Committee.
According to court documents, the managers’ efforts to fulfill their judicial mandate have been systematically frustrated by Third Respondent Mahadai Lalu, the organisation’s General Secretary and Trustee.
Chandan-Edmond and Mookram depose that around July 11, 2026, Lalu unilaterally changed the locks to their official office at Kalyan Mall, locking them out of all administrative, financial, procurement, and membership records.
Reports in other sections of the media indicate that following the discovery of these financial irregularities, moves have emerged attempting to remove court-appointed manager Geeta Chandan-Edmond and replace her with We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Parliamentarian Vishnu Panday.
When contacted, court-appointed manager Geeta Chandan-Edmond stated that while reserving her rights to comment amidst the ongoing proceedings, she emphasized that the situation involves a religious organization that has been embroiled in court battles dating back two decades.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp evidence attached to the filing reveals that when contacted, Lalu confirmed changing the locks and warned that any attempts to break in would face criminal prosecution.
The incident was formally reported to the Guyana Police Force, and legal counsel issued a warning letter to Lalu on July 13, 2026.
Though Lalu’s counsel, Eusi Anderson, notified the court managers on July 31, 2026, that access had been restored, the managers noted they had not yet re-entered and could not verify whether documents had been removed or tampered with.
The court managers reveal that audit proceedings triggered the breakdown of working relationships.
Another Chartered Accountant, hired through a merit-based process to audit past accounts, completed an audit for 2016 which revealed that Lalu is indebted to the Maha Sabha in the sum of $1,380,000.
The Chartered Accountant subsequently resigned, citing emotional distress and hostility from Lalu. In March 2026, another chartered accountant was retained to continue the audit for 2019 and 2025.
Further, it is also alleged that Lalu who is General Secretary awarded herself a security contract to provide security for the Maha Sabha.
On July 23, 2026, the court appointed manager issued a formal demand notice to Lalu requiring an accounting of all transactions under her tenure.
The filing highlights significant financial concentrations during the 2025 financial year: Mahadai Lalu Security Service: Payments totaling $4,470,000 were made to a security firm associated with Lalu while she served as General Secretary; Payments to Pandit Ubraj Narine: Payments totaling $572,705 were made directly to First Applicant and Former Mayor Ubraj Narine.
Together, these payments represented approximately 53.7 per cent of the organization’s total expenditure for 2025, made without proper procurement records, contracts, or conflict-of-interest declarations on file.
BUILDING RESTORATION AND ALLEGATIONS ANSWERED
Addressing claims regarding unauthorized structural alterations and the closure of the temple, the managers assert that all restoration work, including electrical upgrades, window replacements, epoxy flooring, and rebuilding a deteriorated shed, was undertaken after extensive consultations with members and stakeholders, including Narine.
The court managers contend that Narine’s court action was not brought out of concern for the organization, but rather in reaction to concerns raised regarding the audit and potential financial infractions.
A Final Written Warning issued to Narine regarding his alleged unauthorized commercial use of the Pandit’s Quarters for private services, placement of unapproved commercial signage on temple grounds, and refusal to allow mandatory property inspections.
The managers denied claims that the murtis were desecrated, providing photographic evidence showing the sacred images kept in place and covered to protect them from construction dust.
They added that temporary facilities for worship had been provided on the third floor of Kalyan Mall and in designated compound areas while final finishing work and engineer inspections are completed.
Attorneys-at-Law Arudranauth Gossai, Manoj Narayan, Ramkumarie Ramdass, and Ajay Chowti represent the court managers as the matter continues before the High Court.