2024 Video Sparks Outcry: Vigilante Violence, 2 Arrested

On Saturday 24th May, 2 people were arrested following the circulation of a disturbing video. The couple, living on L’Escalier Road in Plaine Magnien, was taken into custody by the Quatre-Bornes Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Krishan Doorjun, 33, and Faranaz Doorjun, 32, are suspected of being involved in the kidnapping of a woman seen in the video, dating back to 2024.

The suspects are currently held at the Stanley and Sodnac police stations pending further legal action.

The viral video, which surfaced on social media this Saturday 24th May, shocked the nation.

This video showed a woman, handcuffed and tied up, being humiliated and threatened inside a van in a sugarcane field.

She is surrounded by men—and even a woman—playing the role of vigilantes.

The footage, lasting five minutes, depicted a scene of extreme violence and raised concerns about the rise of extrajudicial justice in recent years.

In the video, the woman is kept inside a van, immobilized by a man sitting on her.

She is questioned aggressively about a supposed fraud case. The tone is threatening, with men making intimidating remarks.

One man threatens to pull out her tooth with pliers, while another makes a cruel comment:

“you will be raped and there’s nothing you can do about it”.

Moreover, a woman also participated in the intimidation.

The government has responded to the incident. Arianne Navarre-Marie, Minister of Gender Equality, issued a strong statement condemning the “unacceptable physical and psychological violence” inflicted on the woman.

She emphasized that “popular justice is not an option in a State of Law.”

It is important to note that the video reportedly dates back over a year.

During that time, some Mauritians lived “under a climate of terror,” according to the minister.

The case is now under the jurisdiction of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who will decide on the legal proceedings.

While the woman and her husband were previously charged with fraud, this context does not justify the acts of torture and threats shown in the video.

No militia, even if disguised as a vigilance committee, has the right to take justice into its own hands or bypass police and judicial authorities.

This incident raises a fundamental question: can citizens, believing they are on a punitive mission, violate others’ basic rights?

Minister Navarre-Marie and supporters of the rule of law both clearly respond with a firm “no.”

Threatening someone’s physical and mental well-being undermines our democracy.

Everyone has the right to a fair trial, to dignity, and to the presumption of innocence—these rights are non-negotiable.

This sad episode should serve as a wake-up call. Genuine justice must prevail over arbitrary actions, even if some believe they are justified.

The state is sending a clear message: violence and vigilantism will not be tolerated or left unpunished.

Source: Le Mauricien