Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that on 14 May 2026, an Italian national reported an incident which occurred at Ganga Talao at around 13.30 hours.

No, that is not the one. B/786 - Silver Bank!

Can you repeat the question? I do not think I have it.

Can we keep it pending? Let us keep it pending. It is all right. Let us have the Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles…

No, I have the answer.

Okay!

As I have already stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question B/716 last week, Madam Speaker, there was a major deficiency in the supervisory role of the Bank of Mauritius during the 10-year rule of the previous Government. The inadequate regulatory oversight by the Bank of Mauritius, together with the dysfunctional Boards of four banks and ineffective internal credit assessment at the level of these banks, have allowed these banks to approve excessively risky loans. I have also enumerated a number of measures that we are taking to strengthen the independence of supervision at the Bank of Mauritius. The Bank of Mauritius has already initiated actions to review its internal operations, and it is also seeking the technical assistance from the Reserve Bank of India to improve processes, to train the staff of the Supervision Department and to investigate previous shortcomings. The Bank of Mauritius Act and the Banking Act will also be reviewed. With regard to the inquiry initiated by the Financial Crimes Commission in relation to Silver Bank Ltd, I am informed by the Bank of Mauritius that – (a) On 15 April 2026, the Financial Crimes Commission recorded a statement from Mrs S.H., Director of Supervision. The statement was not taken under warning; (b) In a letter dated on 05 May 2026, the FCC convened Mrs S. H. once again, in relation to the inquiry on the Silver Bank Limited. The FCC informed her that she may wish to be accompanied by a counsel of her choice. According to information obtained from the Bank, for Mrs S. H., the interview has not yet been held, and (c) Mrs U.S., the second Director of Supervision, has informed the Bank of Mauritius that she has not yet been called to give any statement to the FCC in relation to the Silver Bank Limited enquiry. I am also informed, Madam Speaker, by the Bank of Mauritius that in January 2025 the Conservator appointed by the Bank of Mauritius at that time had, upon instruction from the Bank, reported alleged fraudulent activities at the Silver Bank Limited to the Police. In view of the elements which have come to light, and to further investigate the conditions under which the licence of Silver Bank was granted, I am informed that the Board of the Bank of Mauritius has decided in March 2026 for the institution of an independent firm, full-fledged forensic audit into the matter. The Terms and Conditions of Employment of the Bank stipulate that whenever it is known that an employee of the Bank has committed a criminal offence, the First Deputy Governor shall forthwith refer the case to the Commissioner of Police for appropriate enquiry and action. In addition, the Terms and Conditions of Employment at the Bank of Mauritius provide that an employee may be interdicted from the exercise of the powers and functions of his or her office pending the outcome of a police enquiry. In view of the serious shortcomings which are known to which we have alluded in this House, it is understood that officers who were directly involved in granting the licences to Silver Bank ought to have at least been transferred from that department and allow the investigation to proceed in all transparency. But that onus is on the Bank of Mauritius. The Bank of Mauritius, I am told, is closely monitoring the progress of the FCC enquiry and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability and good governance within the banking sector.

Yes, Mr Lobine, are you alright? Yes, next is Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles. GANGA TALAO – TOURIST ASSAULT (14 MAY 2026) – INQUIRY