Reply: I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that a serious road accident at Camp Levieux, involving a contract car and an autocycle, was reported at around 23 58 hours on Friday 07 November 2025. I am also informed that the victim was found lying unconscious by the side of the road and was bleeding profusely at his head. The Police immediately called the SAMU for medical assistance. While being conveyed to the hospital, the victim passed away. The matter was referred to the Police Medical Officer for post-mortem examination, and the cause of death was attributed to Craniocerebral injuries. I am further informed by the Commissioner of Police that on the same night, an enquiry was initiated to identify the owner and the driver of the contract car. The Police interviewed the owner of the car, who provided information on the driver who had hired the car. The Police arrested the driver at around 13 45 hours on Saturday 08 November 2025. His defence statement was recorded in the presence of his counsel at 15 00 hours at the Camp Levieux Police Station. On the same day at 17 40 hours, the driver was required to undergo preliminary tests. An alcotest was carried out and was found to be negative. A field impairment test was also carried out and he failed the test. Subsequently, the driver was required to undergo a saliva test, which was found to be positive to intoxicating substance, warranting further in-depth analysis. The driver was brought to Victoria Hospital, where his blood specimen was taken for analysis by the Forensic Science Laboratory. The latter has submitted the report of the blood specimen to the Police on 24 November 2025. The driver was then detained at the Rose Hill Police Station pending his appearance before Weekend Court on Sunday 09 November 2025. The Police informed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that there is objection to release the driver on bail, without dwelling into the merits of the case. The driver was provisionally charged with the offence of involuntary homicide. He was then released on parole with the condition to furnish a surety of Rs100,000 and to enter into a recognizance in the amount of Rs300,000. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that there are established procedures that Police need to follow for the release of a person on bail. It should seek the advice of the

144 Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and provide all the relevant information on the facts and circumstances of the case for a sound advice. In this present case, clearly certain facts were not communicated to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It was found in the course of the enquiry that – (a) the driver was not the holder of a valid driving licence; (b) he was suspected to have driven under the influence of intoxicating substance, and (c) he failed to provide assistance to the victim at the time of the accident. Subsequently, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions advised the Police to lodge another provisional charge against the driver for the following offences – (a) ‘Culpable Omission’ in breach of section 39 (A) of the Criminal Code Act; (b) Driving under the influence of intoxicating substance in breach of section 123 (E)(1)(c) of the Road Traffic Act, and (c) Driving without licence in breach of section 40(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act. The Police objected to the release of the driver on bail and he was remanded to Police cell. I am also informed by the Commissioner of Police that an inquiry into this matter is ongoing. The inquiry will also look into the existing procedures regarding the release on bail for suspects arrested in serious offences. On the basis of information provided to my Office and in the light of the Communique of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, it is clear that the relevant information have not been given to the Director of Public Prosecutions. I have given instructions to the Commissioner of Police that a thorough inquiry should be carried out to find if there has been a dereliction of duty on the part of the officers dealing with the matter, and if so, appropriate disciplinary actions should be initiated forthwith. OLD GRAND PORT – CIVIL STATUS OFFICE – CLOSURE REASONS