Sherry and Varsha Singh appeared in court in Port Louis yesterday before Magistrate Prashant Bissoon.
The court was expected to rule after the seizure of 20 tons of copper ingots and the charge of conspiracy for money laundering against the former Chief Executive Officer of Mauritius Telecom.
However, the couple, accompanied by their lawyers, Urmila Boolell and Satyajit Boolell, Senior Counsel, contested the ruling of Magistrate Prashant Bissoon and filed a request with the Supreme Court.
The issue at hand is to change the magistrate or dismiss the case. The appearance before the Supreme Court has been scheduled for July 15 and 16 at the Port Louis district court.
The Singh couple was questioned about their property, Au Bout du Monde, in Ebene, valued at Rs 244 million, on March 27, at the premises of the Special Striking Team (SST).
Upon leaving the court, Sherry Singh stated, “We have filed a request, through our lawyers, with the Supreme Court, because the magistrate exceeded his rights. We asked for the case to be dismissed or for a change of magistrate for a fair and impartial hearing.”
He added that he was summoned to the SST on March 27 in relation to the copper case, but that he was questioned about his house.
“In the afternoon, some press outlets came out with huge figures on the valuation of the house. We see that information is being leaked before each of my court appearances.”
Sherry Singh continued, “I summarize the copper case by a search at my house last year with the theft of copper on my property, but they found nothing. They interrogated all those who sell copper across the island, but they found nothing incriminating against me. It has become a headache for them.”
“Episode 2: if there was no theft of copper and they think I sold copper at a lower rate, therefore, it was a loss for the company and they assume I received commissions on it. They searched all our accounts and once again, found nothing.”
“Episode 3: in 2022, the MRA requested details on the acquisition of my land and the construction of the house. I received a letter to demonstrate that everything was in order. In September 2023, they conducted a search at my house with MRA officers despite our protests.”
“They detailed everything they found at my house. They wrote to all suppliers for the construction of my house to ask how I paid them. So, a new episode began this Wednesday. In fact, I will also challenge the MRA search.”
Source: l’Express
