Rawat Slams Lutchmeenaraidoo’s “Defamatory” Claims, Engages Legal Team

Dawood Rawat, former chairman of the defunct British American Investment group, has responded to accusations levelled against him by former MMM Finance Minister Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo. 

In a statement released Monday, Rawat called Lutchmeenaraidoo’s accusations “defamatory” and said he has retained legal counsel.

Rawat’s statement follows Lutchmeenaraidoo’s press conference last Friday, in which the former minister – who left the 2019 government in dubious circumstances linked to a controversial loan with surprisingly generous terms – reiterated that the BAI case was a Ponzi scheme.  Rawat strongly denies this claim.

“It is shocking that despite the dismissal of all charges related to this case by Mauritian authorities [Hansard – 6th National Assembly, July 19, 2019, No.B/583], someone implicated in the BAI group’s destruction continues to make these defamatory accusations so carelessly and with such impunity,” Rawat stated.  “Following this latest act of misinformation, I have referred the matter to my lawyers. Such malevolence cannot go unaddressed.”

Rawat’s Rs100Bn lawsuit

Lutchmeenaraidoo is among those slapped by a Rs100billion lawsuit by Rawat for having planned and executed the destruction of his group in 2015.

Last month, Dawood Rawat, successfully secured a temporary injunction halting the sale of assets associated with his former company.

Lutchmeenaraidoo’s press conference has also been criticised by the collateral ‘victims’ of BAI’s destruction. Muthy has called for a public apology from the former Minister of Finance for having called investors in BAI as ‘gamblers’.

NEWSMORIS repoduces Dawood Rawat’s full statement:

COMMUNIQUE

I am referring to the press conference held on Friday, April 18, 2025, by Mr. Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo, who appears demonstrably unable to break from his past behaviour.

It is shocking that despite the dismissal of all charges related to this case by Mauritian authorities [Hansard – 6th National Assembly, July 19, 2019, No.B/583], someone implicated in the BAI group’s destruction continues to make these defamatory accusations so carelessly and with such impunity.

Following this latest act of misinformation, I have referred the matter to my lawyers. Such malevolence cannot go unaddressed.

I also wish to remind the media and the public of the dismissal of the aforementioned accusations. Therefore, continuing to propagate and maintain these accusations is not only irresponsible and malicious, but may also constitute defamation.

In the meantime, I remain focused on my legal pursuit in Mauritian courts to seek redress and hold accountable those responsible for the destruction of the BAI Group and the lives of thousands of Mauritian families.

I will keep you updated on developments as they arise.

Dawood A. Rawat

Source: l’Express, Defi Media