Intermediate Court Appearance: Shibchurn Released on Rs 150, 000 Bail

51-year-old -Vishal Shibchurn, has been granted conditional release after appearing in the Intermediate Court yesterday, November 19. He was required to pay a bail of Rs 150,000 and to sign a debt acknowledgment for Rs 700,000.

As part of his release conditions, he must report to the local police station three times a week and is prohibited from leaving his host’s residence in Mare-Tabac between 6:30 PM and 6:00 AM, except in emergencies.

He is also forbidden from approaching Louis A. (69 years old) and Patricia A. (57 years old), who have accused him of premeditated assault and kidnapping.

Shibchurn had filed a motion for conditional release, which was initially opposed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

On November 5, Magistrate Keshri Soochit approved his request under certain conditions.

However, the DPP’s representative requested the Intermediate Court to suspend this decision pending a review by the Supreme Court.

That request was denied, and Shibchurn was informed yesterday of his release on bail.

Following the court hearing, Shibchurn was taken to La Bastille Prison in Phoenix to retrieve his personal belongings before returning to his host’s home in Mare-Tabac.

He cannot live at his own house in St-Hubert due to the presence of the alleged victims in the same area.

The couple, Louis and Patricia A., accused Vishal Shibchurn and his son Mayur of assaulting them on February 2 over a debt dispute.

Patricia A. reported that Mayur Shibchurn attacked her at their home and then forced her into a vehicle, where Vishal Shibchurn allegedly joined in the assault.

They also allegedly attacked Louis A., inflicting injuries.

The couple claimed they were coerced into withdrawing money from a bank in Mahébourg; however, a bank employee refused to process the transaction upon noticing their injuries.

Subsequently, the father and son are said to have taken the couple back to St-Hubert to assault them again before abandoning them.

The victims received medical treatment at a healthcare facility following the incident.

The Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) has taken over the investigation and has consistently opposed Shibchurn’s release throughout the inquiry.

In a separate but related matter, on July 31, Vishal Shibchurn had sworn an affidavit concerning the murder of Soopramanien (Kaya) Kistnen, a former MSM chief agent in Quartier-Militaire/Moka.

He made allegations against high-ranking officials in the government. Superintendent Heman Dass Ghoorah of the MCIT is leading the investigation into these allegations.

Although Shibchurn remained firm in his statements to the police regarding the affidavit, there have been no developments concerning the murder case as yet.

It is likely that a new investigative team will be assigned to look into this cold case, which carries political implications.

Many believing Vishal Shibchurn could play a significant role in shedding light on the murder of Soopramanien Kistnen, which occurred in October 2020 between Telfair and La Louise.

Source: Le Mauricien