A 42-year-old laborer from Albion, Corentyne, appeared in court today after being arrested and charged for a violent assault on his wife, an incident that was captured on video and widely circulated.
Rafeek Parbhoo was taken into custody on January 26, 2025, following a report filed by his wife, 41-year-old Menach Balram, a cleaner of Lot 230 Toopoo, Albion. The report alleged that Parbhoo had physically assaulted her at their shared home on the Corentyne.
After initially going into hiding, Parbhoo was apprehended by the police and later charged with assault on January 29, 2025. His charge was laid under Section 21 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offenses) Act, Chapter 8:02, as amended by Act 10/98.
He appeared before Magistrate M. Mathias at the Reliance Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him, and he pleaded not guilty. However, during the proceedings, Balram informed the Magistrate that she did not wish to proceed with the matter. She then gave sworn evidence to that effect, resulting in the case being dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
