Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that since 18 October 2020, date on which the case was reported to the Moka Police Station and transferred to the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID), 98 persons were interviewed by

37 the Police. I must say, if we look back, very few were interviewed at the beginning. When there was a hue and cry, we have seen more and more people going to the Central CID. So, 98 persons were interviewed, including the former Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden. Thereafter, a Judicial Enquiry was instituted by the Magistrate of the District Court of Moka to further investigate into the matter and a report was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on 22 November 2021. The report, according to extracts, was a damning indictment of the way the enquiry was conducted by the Police and the departments under its responsibility. It was highly critical of the Police’s “new level of incompetence’’ – never such a level had been reached – and “for trying to bury hard facts under layers of official lies’’. The Magistrate in her report was also highly critical of the Police Medical Officer, a certain Dr. Ananda Sunassee. She referred to a scheme mounted around a concocted post mortem examination that concluded the cause of death was a suicide when it was clearly later found to be a homicide. The Office of the DPP advised the Police to carry an in-depth investigation anew, with utmost diligence and professionalism with a view to exploring avenues as to the possible motives behind the unlawful killing of late S.K. I should say at that time, Madam Speaker, the DPP was requesting this. Do not forget what was happening to the DPP at that time! They were ignoring what the DPP was saying – completely – as if he never existed. Having said that, since the said alleged murder was reported, we, on this side of the House, have been vehemently protesting against the way the investigations were being carried out under the direction of the previous Commissioner of Police. After four years now, it is clear that there was no willingness on the part of the previous Government to elucidate such an atrocious crime even though it was an agent of the former Prime Minister. On the contrary, they did a cover-up. They said it was a case of suicide. The former Prime Minister even said: ‘I have done my own enquiry; it is suicide’. The citizens of this country, especially the affected family are still waiting for justice to be done. I have said it before, Madam Speaker, and I am saying it again today, as Prime Minister, I wish to reiterate that I am not at all satisfied with the way the investigations had been carried out in this case.

38 This case is of utmost priority to the Police and the new Commissioner of Police has set up a dedicated team at the Central CID to conduct an in-depth inquiry with clear-cut instructions to review all the recorded statements, which are being done now, and reports and seeking fresh and compelling evidence to identify the perpetrator(s). Madam Speaker, I have been further informed by the Commissioner of Police that a retired Police Officer with extensive expertise in criminal investigation has been appointed as advisor to the Central CID to look into the whole investigation again. With an extensive background in criminal investigations, he will play a crucial role at the Central CID and assist the department by leveraging his vast experience to elucidate this case. Madam Speaker, I have said it publicly; we will be enlisting the services of enquiry officers from abroad. We think it is essential. We have done this before; I have done this before. I have already initiated actions to enlist the services of foreign investigating bodies to assist the Police Force in its investigations so that we are ensured that light is shed on this case as well as other – there are other – unresolved cases of false claiming to be suicide, jumping from cliffs or whatever. All this will be investigated into.

Time is up for PMQT! The Table has been advised that B/81 and B/83 have been withdrawn. We can proceed. I call on hon. Third Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien, Mr Lukeeram! PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS – DRUGS REPORTED CASES – 2015-2024