Opinion
“I Want to Give the Benefit of the Doubt to the Police Commissioner, But…”
In a critical assessment of the recent revelations known as the “Missie Moustass Leaks,” former Bar Council president and Senior Counsel Antoine Domingue has called for more transparency regarding the police’s use of artificial intelligence to manipulate evidence. Domingue raised his concerns during a press conference held on October 23, 2024, where Police Commissioner Anil Kumar Dip declared the leaks a result of “manipulation through the use of artificial intelligence.”
Domingue questioned the independence of the police investigation, given that the Commissioner himself is at the center of the allegations.
“I am willing to give the Commissioner the benefit of the doubt, but there remains a pervasive ambiguity,” he stated.
While the Commissioner has categorically denied the allegations, Domingue pointed out that he has yet to explicitly state that he did not make the remarks attributed to him in the leaked recordings.
In contrast, attorney Shakeel Mohamed has acknowledged his statements in one of the leaked audio recordings, further deepening public skepticism.
The “Missie Moustass Leaks” have raised alarm bells, suggesting that not only police officers but also judges, politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties, journalists, and lawyers might have been, and possibly still are, under surveillance.
Domingue expressed the need for a thorough examination of these recordings to discern their authenticity.
He emphasized the importance of obtaining independent voice samples from the police commissioner and other involved parties for validation purposes.
“The burden of proof falls on Anil Kumar Dip,” Domingue asserted, as he noted that until the commissioner can satisfactorily demonstrate that these conversations were manipulated, skepticism regarding his conduct will remain.
“When I hear some of the explanations about the audio leaks, I can’t help but feel that some people believe we are fools,” he added.
He further queried whether the police have confiscated the cell phones of Commissioner Dip and Assistant Commissioner Dunraz Gungadin for investigation.
Domingue insisted that it should not be necessary for him to suggest the investigative methods when the police certainly know how to proceed in such cases.
Now that complaints have been filed with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), he highlighted the public’s ability to submit complaints online.
Any allegations against police officers must be directed to the IPCC, requiring the Commissioner to relinquish the case within two days.
If any criminal activity is discovered, the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID) would take over the investigation.
On a disciplinary note, only the Disciplined Forces Service Commission (DFSC) and the Secretary for Home Affairs (SHA) can recommend to the President of the Republic the initiation of proceedings to remove the Commissioner for misconduct.
Recalling the case of former Commissioner Raj Dayal, who faced a disciplinary inquiry, Domingue remarked on the potential for precedence in the current situation.
He emphasized the need for a serious review of the evidence and process involving Dip, stating that the DFSC may also recommend the President initiate removal proceedings if warranted.
Turning to the legal framework for telephone surveillance, Domingue explained that wiretapping is strictly regulated in Mauritius.
It can only be authorized by a Supreme Court judge for serious crimes such as drug trafficking, terrorism, and money laundering, for a limited period of no more than 60 days, provided the request is justified.
Domingue pointed out that the current allegations of conversations involving Commissioner Dip, particularly concerning his son Chandra Prakash Dip, who faced fraud accusations, warrant serious examination.
He reiterated that if the Commissioner does not adhere to the required standards, he could face dismissal, similar to the precedent set by Dayal.
“In this situation, the question is whether the Police Commissioner is genuinely apolitical,” Domingue contended. “If he behaves improperly, he can and should be removed from office.”
He warned against the manipulation of institutions, noting that such issues have persisted across different political regimes, raising concerns about the integrity of the current police administration.
Source: Defi Media