A YOUNG man allegedly killed a security guard in a fit of fury as the latter had asked his father’s landlord to increase the rent by BD20, a witness claimed in court.
The 21-year-old Indian defendant has been accused of killing his fellow national Narsaiah Akuka, aged 61, at his accommodation in East Riffa on March 17.
The unemployed suspect, who fled to his country three days after the alleged crime, is standing trial in absentia. He was staying with his father in an apartment in the building.
A security guard employed at another nearby building owned by the landlord testified in the trial of the Indian who has been charged with premeditated murder.
The guard, who gave evidence at the High Criminal Court, said the victim had informed the landlord about the defendant using excess electricity at the apartment to make sandwiches to sell in Askar.
This allegedly prompted the landlord to increase his rent by BD20.
“It all started after the unemployed defendant started a business selling sandwiches,” the 45-year-old told a leading judge.
“He used more electricity and therefore, the victim informed the landlord, who increased the rent of the apartment to BD160 from BD140.
“The defendant and his father attempted to persuade the landlord to reduce the rent, but in vain.”
The guard said he was shocked when he visited the victim’s room and saw him in a pool of his own blood.
“I phoned Mr Akuka many times as a few prospective tenants wanted to see the apartments,” he said.
“However, he did not answer my calls.
“So the next morning, I went to his room on the rooftop of the building and knocked on his door.
“The door was slightly open and I saw Mr Akuka lying face down in a pool of his own blood.”
According to court documents, the landlord had asked the father and son to vacate the apartment if they could not pay up BD160 per month. Prosecutors believe this dispute led the 21-year-old to carry out the crime, arguing that it must have been intentional as the defendant went to the victim’s room with purpose.
The autopsy report revealed that the victim’s death was caused by trauma or bludgeoning caused by a solid object that ‘led his respiratory and circulatory systems to stop’.
A number of injuries, scratches and bruises were found all over the victim’s body, including the head, face, back and neck.
By the time forensics investigators identified the suspect using DNA samples lifted from the crime scene, he had already fled the country.
The DNA sample was also compared to different objects in the defendant’s apartment, including a water bottle and a toothbrush, which yielded a perfect match.
The case has been adjourned until Thursday to hear more prosecution witnesses.
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