Chemtech director arrested for ‘treating of public official’

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Friday 15 April arrested Nadine Adam, director of Chemtech Ltd, in a bribery case for allegedly giving a freebie to a former government official.

According to media reports, Nadine Adam is accused of having offered an air trip to Dr. Dharamraj Luchmun, former President of the Bid Evaluation Committee at the Ministry of Health in 2014.

Chemtech, which sells medical equipment, medical devices and consumables, was one of the bidders for the supply of a Video Laparoscope.

Nadine Adam was charged of ‘treating of public official’ before Port Louis District Court.

She was released on Rs15,000 bail.

Dr. Dharamraj Luchmun, a Consultant in General Surgery at SSRN Hospital, was arrested by the anti-graft agency in 2019. He had allegedly recommended Chemtech as the supplier for the Laparoscope at a cost of Rs 1,159,000 in February 2014.

In October 2014, Chemtech sponsored Dr. Dharamraj Lutchmun’s participation to a conference by the Digestive System Cancer Research Institute in Paris. Airfare, hotel and participation costs (amounting to Rs123,920) were borne by the company. 

Dr Lutchmun was charged with receiving a gift for a corrupt purpose under section 15a of the Prevention of Corruption Act.