10 years, 7 months in jail for farmer who killed reputed wife at Parika

Thirty-three-year-old Ganesh Dhanraj, who had killed his reputed wife in 2017, was sentenced on Wednesday to 10 years and seven months behind bars.

Justice Jo Ann Barlow handed down the sentence in the Demerara High Court. Last month, Dhanraj pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He added that on April 5, 2017, at Parika Façade, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), he unlawfully killed Dhanwantie Ram, also known as ‘Sisten.’

Attorney-at-Law Ravindra Mohabir represented him, while State Counsel Latifah Elliot represented the prosecution.

Media reports are that Ram, who was just 29 years old at the time of her death, was on her way to the Parika Police Station to lodge a report against Dhanraj.

He intercepted her and took her to his home, where an argument ensued. During the argument, Dhanraj reportedly strangled the woman to death.

Her relatives later found her motionless body in a sitting position with a bed sheet tied around her neck in her Parika Façade’s home.

She was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. After committing the act, the 33-year-old farmer went into hiding but was later apprehended by Police.

On April 20, 2020, Dhanraj and three others escaped from the holding bay at the Lusignan Prison. He was later recaptured by Police at the Parika Bus Park in a motor car.