Businessman on charges related to bogus GUY$4.4 million cheque

Last Updated on Monday, 29 September 2014, 23:00 by GxMedia

Besham Ganpat

An East Coast Demerara businessman was Monday arraigned on charges related to a forged GUY$4.4 million dollar cheque that he allegedly used to buy a quantity of stationery.

Police said Besham Ganpat of 15 First Street, Industry, East Coast Demerara, who is trading as Global Stars International, was caught in a sting operation.

He was refused bail, remanded to prison and ordered to return to court on October 1

At the centre of three charges is a Republic Bank cheque for the amount of GUY$4,400,800.

Investigators said that on August 22 at Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara with intent to defraud Ganpat obtained from Dharam Chand a quantity of office stationary valued GUY$4,400,800.

Ganpat is also charged with uttering the cheque to Chand at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Further Ganpat is charged with conspiring with a person or persons unknown to forge one Republic Bank cheque Number 0895-939 for the amount of GUY$4,400,800 dollars knowing same to be false.

Defence Lawyer, Leslie Sobers said his client was eager to clear his name of the allegations and that he was not a flight risk because he has significant investments in Guyana.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant opposed bail, citing the nature and gravity of the offence and that Ganpat had given the police different addresses. He said the accused was nabbed in a sting operation.

Grant feared that Ganpat would flee the jurisdiction because more charges were likely to be instituted against him.