Alteo Agri Ltd dragged into Rs167billion court case for ‘expropriation’

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case that could severely shake up the traditional sugar oligarchy.

The Kisnorbo family, which claims to be the victim of the expropriation of their land in the 19th century, has reportedly won the first leg of a Rs167billion claim against Alteo Agri Ltd, one of the largest land owners in Mauritius.

An interlocutory judgment was issued by the Supreme Court to clarify an initial point of law limiting expropriation claims trials to 30 years from the date of the expropriation.

The Supreme Court ruled that this case, which dates back to 1809, can now be heard by the courts.

This will allow those whose ancestors were dispossessed of their lands by the oligarchs to resort to the Supreme Court for damages.