Pujari released on $500k station bail, denies involvement in murder of 6-Y-O

The 47-year-old religious leader accused by the father of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran of involvement in the child’s murder has broken his silence following his release on $500,000 station bail on Monday.

Ishwar Srikhnu, called “Ravi”, is denying any connection to the killing and warning that the allegations could destroy his reputation and threaten the future of his temple.

In an interview with this publication today, Srikhnu claims he had refused to assist Jaikarran with certain religious activities and eventually instructed him to stay away from his premises following an alleged incident involving his daughter.

Now, the pujari finds himself publicly implicated in a murder investigation, an allegation he categorically rejects.

“There’s nothing to do with me, and me no get no hands, and no connection with this murderer, or this crime,” he contended.

The accusation emerged publicly when Orlando’s father, who has since been charged with the child’s murder, alleged while leaving the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court that a Pujari was responsible. Srikhnu says he subsequently saw footage of the allegation after his daughter brought it to his attention.

He believes the publicity has placed his reputation at risk and could jeopardise the future of the temple where he conducts religious activities.

“I was very annoyed about it, and I want that part to be done,” he posited.

Srikhnu also disputes the suggestion that he arranged for Orlando to be taken to the waterside for a religious ritual.

He says he had no involvement in the child’s disappearance or death and questions the account that placed him at the scene.

“Did the Pujari go till in your house, and hoist a pickney out from that bed, and bring it to the water side, and put it to lie down here?…Did any Pujari go straight into your bed, and hoist that innocent child, and carry it to the water side?”

Six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran, of Waterloo, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), was reported missing on October 15. His partially decomposed remains were discovered in the Waterloo Main Canal on October 20.

His father, 45-year-old Bharrat Jaikarran, was subsequently charged with murder and remanded to prison. A post-mortem examination was inconclusive in determining the cause of death.

Meanwhile, Srikhnu was released on $500,000 station bail on Monday. He says Police have instructed him to report to the station every Friday.

The investigation remains ongoing.