The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for Satrohan Rajkumar, also known as “Depoo,” of Friendship, East Bank Demerara, in connection with the March 2021 execution-style murder of Ricardo “Paper Shorts” Fagundes, the latest development in an investigation that has intensified in recent weeks.
Rajkumar, a mechanic reportedly linked to Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, is wanted by investigators, who have not disclosed the specific evidence connecting him to the murder probe. Police are appealing to members of the public with information on his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station.
The wanted bulletin was issued late Tuesday, hours after police released Mark Richmond and Udoh Kanu, two former security guards attached to Mohamed, along with car dealer Amarnauth Ramsook, on G$1 million station bail each.
The three men were arrested last Thursday as investigators pursued new leads in the five-year-old murder investigation. Police subsequently obtained a court-approved 72-hour extension to continue questioning them before releasing them on Tuesday without charge.
Richmond’s detention had intensified public attention after his attorneys challenged his continued custody, arguing that he had been held beyond the constitutionally prescribed period without being charged. The High Court subsequently granted police additional time to continue their investigations.
On Tuesday, before news of Rajkumar’s wanted bulletin emerged, Mohamed released a video statement on his social media platforms accusing the Government of attempting to destroy him politically by targeting persons associated with him.
Mohamed alleged that his two former employees had been detained for six days and pressured by investigators to implicate him in the murder of Fagundes. He maintained that the arrests formed part of a wider campaign to frame him and divert public attention from what he described as “massive corruption” within the Government. He also called on the judiciary, constitutional oversight bodies, civil society and the international community to closely monitor the investigation and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
The Government has not publicly responded to Mohamed’s allegations.
Fagundes, widely known as “Paper Shorts,” was gunned down outside Palm Court on Main Street, Georgetown, on March 21, 2021. Reports indicate that he stepped outside the entertainment venue after receiving a telephone call and was shot multiple times near his vehicle.
The murder has remained unsolved for more than five years despite repeated police investigations.
In an effort to advance the case, the Government enlisted the assistance of the Regional Security System (RSS). Following its review, the RSS reported that it found no evidence of corruption or any deliberate attempt to obstruct or cover up the investigation.
Police have not disclosed the role they believe Rajkumar played in the killing or how he became a suspect in the investigation. The force has urged anyone with information that may assist in locating him to come forward as efforts continue to solve one of Guyana’s most high-profile unsolved murders.
