Durban - A Chatsworth man charged with killing his wife and two children was granted bail on Wednesday after spending six months in prison.
Chatsworth magistrate Leon Ferreira ruled that Mogamberry “Rajen” Kandasamy, 44, had proved there were exceptional circumstances to permit his release and granted him bail of R10 000.
Kandasamy is charged with the premeditated murders of his wife, Versha, daughter Melarisa, 18, and son Megandran, 16. The three were found dead in their Moorton home last December.
The police allege they were bludgeoned to death with a blunt object believed to be a Hanuman stick – the club that the Hindu monkey god is depicted carrying.
Dealing with the factors relied on by the State to object to bail, Ferreira said the investigating officer claimed to have a “strong case”, but provided no details to the court.
“It leads the court to infer that they are relying on circumstantial evidence, as there are no eyewitnesses. If they have a confession, then it begs the question why they have not told the court.”
He also said Kandasamy was not a flight risk as he owned half the Moorton property, had handed himself over to police and surrendered his passport to the police.
He said the State’s argument that public confidence in the justice system would diminsh if Kandasamy was released could not sway the court against granting bail.
He said the public’s sentiment could not be held higher than the interests of Kandasamy.
In his bail application, Kandasamy claimed that he had been falsely accused of the murders and that police had forced him to confess.
He said he had amnesia related to the two days before his arrest, which included the day of the murders.
He alleged that unknown perpetrators must have drugged him and carried out the crimes and said he was determined to hire a private investigator to find the real culprits.
Versha’s relative, Nathan Manthree, said his family was disappointed with the court’s decision.
“The court has its reasons for granting bail. We would like there to be a fair trial and we will not rest until this matter reaches its conclusion.”
Kandasamy’s family did not want to speak to the media at court on Wednesday, as they were trying to raise the bail amount.
Kandasamy was warned to report to the Chatsworth police station once a week and the case was adjourned to August 26 for further investigations.
The Mercury