Should charges be laid against a Barrackpore woman who chopped off a relative’s hand allegedly in defence of a female relative who he was beating?
Or should the man be charged for allegedly beating the woman?
Investigators said yesterday they intend to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the end of this week on how to proceed with this incident which took place on July 14.
The 20-year-old woman, an agricultural worker, was arrested but released three days after the incident. She is staying at an undisclosed location.
Doctors were unable to re-attach the hand of the 61-year-old man, a sanitation worker.
He was released from the San Fernando General Hospital on July 21 and has since returned home.
A police report said the young woman intervened after she heard her relative Kamla Lal, 58, bawling and calling out her name at her (Lal) Oropouche South Trace, Barrackpore, home on July 14.
She ran to Lal’s home and allegedly saw the man beating Lal with an iron chair. Lal’s head was bleeding. She allegedly called on him to stop but he continued beating Lal. She ran inside the house, grabbed a cutlass and again called on him to stop. It is alleged that he tried to hit her and she chopped him on his arms. His left hand was severed. Lal had taken out a protection order against the man last November.
Southern Division Senior Supt Richard Smith said investigations into the incident are continuing.
He said they have recorded statements from witnesses, including Lal. He said they have also recorded statements from the woman and her father.
“We will be conducting inquires with view of seeking advice from the DPP in relation to charges, who we will be laying charges against, whether it is the girl or whether it is the father who allegedly committed an offence upon the woman (Lal),” said Smith.
He said investigators are expected to complete the file and approach the DPP at the end of this week.
He added that the parties have been referred to the Victim and Witness Support Unit.
