A businesswoman, her 18-year-old son and another man are expected to appear before the Siparia Magistrates’ Court today to answer multiple charges arising out of allegations that domestic worker Sabita Basdeo was held against her will and subjected to prolonged torture over several years.The accused—Fareeda Balgobin, her son Joshua Benny, and Rohit Sitahal—were charged in connection with offences allegedly committed between June 2019 and April 11, 2026.
Escaped: Domestic worker Sabita Basdeo.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, in a release yesterday, said the charges stem from a report alleging the victim was falsely imprisoned and abused during the period.The release did not name the victim, but police sources identified the woman as Sabita Basdeo, 42, who told police she was beaten, burnt, and her head was banged against a wall of a house in Penal.Balgobin faces the largest number of charges, including one offence of false imprisonment, one of throwing a noxious substance, two offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm, one offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one offence of choking, one of kidnapping, and three additional related charges.Benny has been charged with throwing a noxious substance, two offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm, one of kidnapping, and one additional related charge.Sitahal is charged with throwing a noxious substance, two offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and one additional related charge.Police said the investigation was launched after the report was made and was assigned to PC Lee Lum.The enquiry was conducted under the supervision and guidance of Senior Superintendent Simon, W/Supt Bridgelal, ASP Chulhan, Insp Ramdial, Insp Nandlal and Insp Maharaj.Legal advice was provided by ASP Phillip.On June 3, instructions were issued by Supt Bridgelal, with assistance from Sgt Bassarath, to charge the three accused.Ran to police officersBalgobin had previously been held under a preventative detention order having been linked to the assault of Basdeo.The orders for the detention of Balgobin and her son were signed on April 20 by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, in accordance with Paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Emergency Powers Regulations of 2026.The order named Fareeda Alladin Balgobin of San Francique, Penal, and Rochard Road, Penal, and alleged she had involvement in an Informal Crime Group (ICG) operating in the Penal district.According to the order, she was identified through investigative material and intelligence as members of the group which was involved in kidnapping, false imprisonment, forced labour, grievous sexual assault, serious indecency, and attempted murder.Authorities said the detainee and others intended to continue these activities and had threatened to kill witnesses.Balgobin and Benny have been in custody since April 11.Police reported that Basdeo, a mother of two, ran to officers at the Barrackpore Police Station that day.She had visible injuries to her face and hands and told officers she had been abused by the suspects.She alleged that between September 2025 and April 2026, she was held against her will, forced to perform domestic duties, and prevented from leaving. She reported being beaten, burned and threatened with death if she attempted to escape.Days later, on April 15, one of Balgobin’s homes was damaged by fire. It was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported. Police suspect arson, as officers who visited the scene observed a broken bedroom window and evidence that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at the house.
