Durban - A mother-in-law who was accused of plotting the murder of her son’s common-law wife, is relieved that the charges against her have been withdrawn.
Sarika Madhan, 48, walked out of the Dundee Magistrate’s Court a free woman on Thursday after spending months in jail in connection with the murder of Mercisha Tedpaul. Tedpaul, 24, had been living with Madhan’s son, Nishkar, 26, and they have two children, aged 4 and 7.
Madhan also shared the flat with them in Dundee. Tedpaul, a stay-at-home mother, went missing on March 1 and her body was found three days later, metres from the railway line, in the Peacevale area. She had been strangled and had blunt force trauma to the head.
Madhan, her ex-husband Manoj, 58, and their eldest son, Sanjoth, 28, were arrested and charged with Tedpaul’s murder. She was also charged with robbery. Police believed that Madhan’s motive for wanting Tedpaul dead was to prevent her from moving out of the house with Nishkar and the children, and she was opposed to them marrying.
But the charges against Madhan, represented by attorney Melokuhle Mervin Shabangu, were dropped this week due to insufficient evidence against her – a decision that has outraged her son and Tedpaul’s family. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Tribune, Madhan, a nurse, said the past nine months had not been easy, and that she was still confused as to why she was a suspect. “I was at work when I got arrested.
It’s difficult because I’m still confused and stressed. I am still trying to cope with the loss of Mercisha I didn’t get to say my goodbyes to her. I can’t believe I was implicated in the first place,” said Madhan.
She said she had not spoken to Tedpaul’s family, but intended to do so when the time was right. “Even though the charges have been dropped, in their mind I am a murderer. They hate me and blame me for it. It’s already etched in their minds that I was part of it.
“The damage is done. It will take time and God’s will to help me. I have to do it and I will in time. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I am not guilty of anything. I have nothing to hide,” she said.
Madhan’s acquittal has enraged her son Nishkar, who maintained that he did not want to have anything to do with his mother. But she said she would not give up trying to restore their relationship. “I know he is angry. He also blamed me and feels I am responsible for this. I can’t expect him to be forgiving and loving and go back to the way things were.
It’s not going to be easy, but prayer and time heal all wounds. “He must just know that I am still there for him and I love him no matter what. I will not just give up. I will always be here waiting,” she said. Madhan said she would be consulting Shabangu on what legal action to take.
“I’m not sure if I will sue the State. It’s too soon to say. “Being in prison for nine months, away from my family and people, feels like 20 years have passed. People’s attitudes have changed and there are a lot of things I need to do.
I have to heal myself and be there for my children – they come first. Not knowing if your child is okay or not being there for them is very hard. My children are everything. I can’t see my grandchildren growing up.
I was part of their lives. Nine months later, will they remember me or not? “I have to deal with two of my sons hating me. My other son is in jail for something he hasn’t done and its worse for him in jail because he is a man,” she said. She believed her ex-husband and son were innocent. “They didn’t do it.
They are not capable of doing it. Circumstances led to this, public pressure and everyone wanted closure. Not enough was done. The pressure was too much. I’m not happy that my ex-husband and son are still in there,” she said. Nishkar said he could not believe that his mother had been released from jail. “I was so angry when I found out. There are concerns about safety. I don’t want them near us or the kids.
“My daughters are coping. It is very difficult. “I miss Mercisha. We were going to move out and get married at the beginning of the year. We were together for about 12 years. I hope Sarika goes back to jail,” he said. Tedpaul’s sister, Shristi Dookhi, said the family were appalled by the State’s decision. “At first, we were shocked. When I got the call, I didn’t know what to do: sit, stand, scream, or burst into tears.
It was not something we anticipated. It’s a really harsh reality. I don’t understand why she’s free. Even though it’s under certain conditions, it’s not something I thought would happen.
This is a big worry for us. “I feel like I need to watch my back wherever I go. There’s always been a concern for our family’s safety but now there is added concern,” said Dookhi. Shabangu said they welcomed the State’s decision: “This is what we have been preaching.
There was never evidence against Sarika. She shouldn’t have been denied bail earlier. There is no evidence linking her to the crime and it is all speculation. We have approached senior council for advice because Sarika will be taking further action”, he said. The case against Manoj and Sanjoth continues and the matter will return to court in March.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE