Judicial Inquiry: Former Police Commissioner to Testify on Juliette’s Death

The judicial inquiry into the death of 36-year-old Steve Jacquelin Juliette continued on Tuesday, January 21, at the Pamplemousses court. During the hearing presided over by Magistrate Neela Ramdewor-Naugah, a recorded audio tape featuring Missie Moustass was played, which included voices attributed to former Commissioner of Police Anil Kumar Dip and Chief Police Medical Officer Dr. Sudesh Kumar Gungadin.

The recording was introduced during the questioning of the victim’s sister, who responded to inquiries from Mᵉ Nataraj Muneesamy, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions.

She recounted that officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) had been aggressive towards her brother when he opposed their attempt to climb over the wall into his yard.

According to her account, the police had mistakenly entered the wrong house, where her brother lived in Résidence Ste-Claire, Goodlands.

Juliette’s sister testified that her brother was experiencing pain all over his body, particularly in his intimate areas, but he was reluctant to go to the hospital.

It was only later that evening, when his condition worsened, that family members took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

During her testimony, she was confronted with a statement she allegedly provided, claiming she had not seen any injuries on her brother’s body.

She denied giving this statement to the police and insisted that the signature on the document was not hers.

She also affirmed that she decided to pursue justice for her brother following the leak of the audio recordings featuring Missie Moustass.

For context, Jacquelin Steve Juliette passed away on January 5, 2023. While his death was attributed to cardiac issues, it occurred shortly after a forceful arrest by the Anti-Drug Unit.

His family has accused law enforcement of police brutality. Mᵉ Muneesamy has requested that former Commissioner of Police Anil Kumar Dip and Dr. Gungadin be called to testify as part of the ongoing inquiry into Jacquelin Steve Juliette’s death.

The next hearing has been scheduled for February 4.

Source: l’Express