Businessman pinpointed as mastermind behind Pandit, son killing

Deonarine Liliah and his son Gopaul Liliah.

Georgetown: Investigations into the death of the 61-year-old Pandit and his 28-year-old son, Gopaul Liliah revealed that a businessman who owed Deonarine Liliah some US$40,000 is believed to be the mastermind behind the murders.

The men the businessman hired sneak into the Craig Street, Campbellville property and butcher their victims before searching for an important document the businessman had signed.

Investigators said that the killers were unaware that concealed CCTV cameras in the house recorded their actions.

One of the suspects in custody was detained near the victims’ home after he was seen acting in a suspicious manner.  The individual reportedly was found in possession of a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims. He then identified an individual who he claimed had sold him the phone. That individual is also in custody.

The decomposing bodies of Deonarine and Gopaul Liliah were found on Tuesday in their Lot 25 Craig Street, South Half, Section ‘G’ Campbellville residence. Gopaul’s body was face-down on the floor in a pool of blood while his father’s body was in the living room.

An autopsy revealed that the victims had been stabbed 66 times.

The gruesome find was made by Leewattie Ganpat, a tenant who lives in the bottom flat.

Ganpat said that she last saw her landlord and his son in the yard on Saturday around 06:00hrs. They spoke briefly.

Ganpat said later that night around 21:00hrs while using the Wi-Fi that she shares with the Liliahs, she heard some walking upstairs after which the Wi-Fi went off.

She said that she again heard someone walking.

On Sunday when Ganpat looked out for the elderly Liliah, to tell him about the Wi-Fi problem she did not see him.

After being unable to locate him for two days, Ganpat made a report to the station at around 09.30 on Tuesday.

Police who arrived at the house found the back door ajar. They entered the house and discovered the bodies.