Preventive Detention Orders Issued For Penal Businesswoman Fareeda Balgobin, Close Male Relative
Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs) have been issued for Penal businesswoman Fareeda Alladin Balgobin and a close male relative, days after they were arrested by Police in connection with the alleged false imprisonment and torture of 42-year-old Sabita Basdeo. The orders, which were dated 20th April, 2026 and signed by Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, were officially gazetted on Tuesday (21st April, 2026). They were among sixteen (16) of the latest gazetted PDOs.
According to reports, the orders identified Balgobin and the male relative as members of a gang (Informal Criminal Group - ICG), operating in the Penal district. “The ICG is involved in kidnapping, false imprisonment, forced labour, grievous sexual assault, serious indecency and attempted murder,” the PDOs stated. “The detainee and others intend to imminently continue these acts and the intimidation of witnesses whom they have threatened to murder.”
Balgobin’s PDO claimed, “Her detention is necessary to disrupt her ability to facilitate violent gang activities and prevent escalation of serious criminal conduct during the State of Emergency.” The two (2) were identified as persons who were “prejudicial to public safety.”
Balgobin and her relative were arrested on 12th April, 2026 — accused of holding Sabita Basdeo, a mother of two (2), against her will for a lenghty period, beating and threatening to kill her whenever she tried to leave to see her family. Investigators have described the case as one of false imprisonment and modern-day slavery.
Basdeo told Officers she was forced to perform a range of domestic duties whilst enduring physical and sexual abuse, and also prevented from leaving.
Commissioner of Police, Allister Guevarro, was reportedly instrumental in the rescue of Basdeo after he led a team of Officers, including members of the Barrackpore Police Station and the Southern Division Task Force, to locate her.
A day after the duo were taken into custody, a fire broke out at Balgobin's Penal home at Deosaran Trace, San Francique, partially damaging the property, estimated at $1.98 million.
Investigators suspect the blaze began after a molotov cocktail was thrown through a window of the residence.
Investigations are continuing.
More on this as it becomes available.
[Source: T&T Guardian]


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