BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of the Indian business community in St. Kitts are deeply saddened by the recent shooting death of one of its own and a Hindu Prayer Ceremony was held last night (Dec. 16) at the Frigate Bay Resort.
The Hindu Prayer Ceremony was held in memory of the late Govind Mirchandani, a native of India who was residing in Taylors Range.
SKNVibes was informed that among the attendees were the Commissioner of Police, Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn.
Reliable information reaching this media house indicates that over 150 persons were present, including the deceased’s family members as well as other persons from the community of St. Kitts.
The memory of Mirchandani was honoured with a one-minute silence and those in attendance showered his family members with sympathy sentiments.
It was revealed that Mirchandani had been residing on St. Kitts for about one year and was the owner of the popular BIG SALE store on Fort Street.
Additionally, he was living in St. Maartin, where he owned the parent BIG SALE store, where his brother ran the business entity after he (Mirchandai) migrated to St. Kitts.
A source close to the family of the deceased communicated to this media house that they would like to say “many thanks to the Communications Office of the Prime Minister”, which has been very supportive during their time of grief.
The assistance from Government’s part included autopsy procedure and assisting the widow to obtain a Visa to travel to St. Maartin.
Words of gratitude were also extended to Commissioner Walwyn for the professional manner in which investigators of the Police Force went about their task.
“This shouldn’t happen to anyone”, said the source said about the recent killing.
Last Friday night (Dec. 14), Mirchandani was gunned down in Taylors Range while in the company of his wife and one-year-old son.
He was shot sometime after 8:00 p.m. as the family was about to enter their home, which is situated two houses away from the Girl Guides building in Taylors Range.
Reports are that the family had taken a taxi to their home on that fateful night and, after its departure, a number of masked gunmen appeared and robbed Mirchandani of an undisclosed sum of money and shot him to death during the process.
Just hours after the incident, police received an anonymous tip and a manhunt was launched by the Joint Forces, which resulted in four individuals being taken into custody to assist the police with their investigations.
