IPCC Summons Akil Bissessur to Confirm Allegations Against Former SST

Friday 28th March, Akil Bissessur appeared before the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to reiterate his grave accusations against Superintendent Ashik Jagai and the now-dissolved Special Striking Team (SST). This unfolded in the aftermath of his arrest in Palma in 2022, when the SST, disbanded following the elections in November 2024, executed a raid on the residence of his partner, Doomila Moheeputh, leading to the arrest of both individuals.

During this operation, the SST claimed they had confiscated synthetic drugs valued at an alarming Rs 260,000.

However, in a surprising turn of legal events, the case was dismissed by the Bambous court in 2023.

Magistrate Vidya Mungroo-Jugurnath, while clarifying that she was not condemning the police investigators, underscored notable deficiencies in their investigation.

She remarked on the troubling fact that the investigators had chosen to ignore Bissessur’s claim that the drugs allegedly discovered in his home had been “planted,” raising serious questions about the impartiality of the police involved.

Additionally, findings from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) confirmed that no DNA or fingerprints belonging to Bissessur were present on the drugs seized.

He has consistently denied all involvement in drug trafficking, asserting that his arrest stemmed from “political motivations,” given his stance as an opponent of the then-government.

Following these developments, Bissessur’s case was forwarded to the IPCC, which asked him if he wished to provide a formal statement regarding his allegations.

On March 28, he complied, sharing with IPCC investigators that he had been the target of a political vendetta.

He recounted an alarming encounter with an SST officer during the raid, who allegedly threatened him, demanding a file concerning his client, Rigg Singh Needroo.

Needroo faced accusations for sending an offensive message about Kobita Jugnauth, an incident that was ultimately dismissed in court.

According to Bissessur, the officer declared, “Hand over the Rigg Singh Needroo file, or we will plant the drugs on you again,” indicating the sensitive nature of the files in question.

Bissessur also brought attention to a concerning remark made by former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth at a rally in Rose-Hill, where he told the audience, “Mr Akil Bissessur was on our radar.”

This statement casts a long shadow over the ongoing investigations. The IPCC will now pass Bissessur’s testimony to the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine how to proceed.

In December, MP Farhad Aumeer questioned Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam regarding “high-level interventions” purportedly aimed at manipulating the FSL analysis results pertaining to the cases of Bruneau Laurette and Akil Bissessur.

In response to these serious allegations, Navin Ramgoolam acknowledged having been informed about the situation and promised a comprehensive investigation, while also denouncing the chronic shortcomings of the FSL.

The demand for justice and transparency has never been more urgent.

Source: l’Express