Two years have elapsed since the tragic murder of Mercisha Tedpaul, leaving her family still seeking justice.
As you will recall, Mercisha, a mother of two, was reported missing on 1 March 2022, prompting the Dundee community to unite in search of her.
Unfortunately, their hopes were dashed when Mercisha’s lifeless body was discovered four days later near the railway lines close to Watt Road, Dundee. She had been strangled to death.
Shortly after the discovery of Mercisha’s body, Dundee SAPS apprehended three suspects: Manoj Madhan, his wife Sarika Madhan, and their son Sanjoth. Mercisha had been romantically involved with Manoj and Sarika’s second son, Nishkar, with whom she shared two children.
With the three suspects in custody and appearing at the Dundee Magistrate’s Court on 7 March 2022, there was hope for justice. However, this hope was short lived.
Initially implicated in Mercisha’s disappearance and death, charges against Sarika were dropped in November 2022 due to lack of evidence. It was suspected that Sarika had desired Mercisha’s demise to prevent her from leaving their household with Nishkar, allegedly opposing their marriage. Manoj and Sanjoth, however, have remained in police custody since their arrest.
After two years of legal proceedings, court proceedings were scheduled to resume on Monday, 15 April 2024, leaving Mercisha’s sister, Shristi Dookhi, hopeful for justice. Regrettably, this was not to be.
“We attended court on Monday, where the Magistrate who had presided over the bail applications was meant to testify. But this unfortunately did not happen,” said Shristi, expressing her disappointment as the case was remanded yet again, with the date of the next hearing still pending.
Reflecting on the protracted court proceedings, Shristi acknowledged the significance of the adage, “Patience is a virtue.” She explained, “Every time we start making some progress, something else happens. But when everything is done, I want to know that everything possible was done to come to the truth.”
As they await the announcement of the next trial date, Shristi highlighted that she and Mercisha’s daughters, aged 7 and 4 at the time of the murder, were still grappling with the trauma. The two young girls are currently under Shristi’s care. “The girls and I are coping, but we will never be 100% fine,” she stated.
While Shristi and Mercisha’s daughters await justice, what are your thoughts on this matter? Please share your views in the comments section below.
