Suspicious Death of Pravin Kanakiah, New Shadows Emerge

The investigation into the death of Pravin Kanakiah, whose body was discovered under mysterious circumstances in Gris-Gris on December 11, 2020, continues to unfold, revealing troubling elements. On Friday January 24, his widow, Reshmee Appadoo Kanakiah, testified before Magistrate Ameerah Dhunoo, raising questions about contradictory statements and shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.

During her questioning by Me Damodar Bissessur, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Reshmee Appadoo Kanakiah challenged a statement she allegedly made to the police on the day her husband’s body was found.

While she acknowledged her signature on the document, she firmly denied saying that her husband took his own life due to work-related pressures.

“I never said that!” she insisted, explaining that in the shock of identifying her husband’s body, she could not clearly recall what the police officer had written.

In a significant and troubling detail disclosed during the hearing, Reshmee stated that her husband received a call from a person referred to as a “gran madam” the day prior to his disappearance.

While Pravin did not disclose the content of the conversation, he reportedly expressed to Reshmee his growing discomfort regarding fraudulent activities related to mask purchases in his department.

This stress, compounded by his dual assignment between the Head Office and Réduit, made his work particularly challenging.

Reshmee further clarified why certain details, such as the phone call, were not mentioned earlier in her police statements.

She indicated that she had discussed the matter with her lawyer, Me Rama Valayden, who advised her to exercise caution due to concerns about how the police might handle her testimony.

“Me Valayden told me to be careful. With what I saw in the Kistnen case and the way some files are buried, I held back.

I have a baby, and I’m still young. I preferred to wait before revealing everything,” she shared, drawing parallels with the murder of political agent Soopramanien Kistnen.

During her testimony, the widow also spoke out about alleged police intimidation.

She revealed that her request for a second autopsy was initially denied by an officer.

Additionally, she claimed that she was taken in a police vehicle under the pretext of getting some fresh air, but insisted on being returned to the morgue.

These incidents have been reported to the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) and the police station in Plaine Magnien.

As the judicial investigation progresses, Reshmee Appadoo Kanakiah’s revelations add a new dimension to this already complex case.

Her testimony will continue in the next hearing scheduled for January 27. This may provide further insights into the murky circumstances surrounding her husband’s suspicious death.

Source: Le Mauricien