Scotland Yard Joins Mauritius to Reopen 3 Suspicious Death Cases

The investigation into the controversial death of Soopramanien Kistnen has entered a new phase. Monday – 16th June, a team of British experts from Scotland Yard arrived in Mauritius. Starting today, they will work with former senior police officer Daniel Monvoisin—now a special advisor at the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID)—alongside ACP Rajaram, SP Vikash Seeboruth, and other officers.

Their goal is to reopen the Kistnen case and also review the deaths of Nadine Dantier and Vanessa Lagesse.

This review was announced in March, when Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam responded to a parliamentary question from Deputy Franco Quirin.

He mentioned the appointment of a retired elite investigator—though he did not name Monvoisin—to strengthen the CCID, with plans to involve foreign experts. Today’s action fulfills that promise.

During the same parliamentary session, Ramgoolam criticized how the Kistnen case was handled under the previous government.

He said, “There was no desire to solve this murder. On the contrary, there seemed to be a deliberate attempt to cover it up.”

Kistnen, a former political agent for the MSM in Quartier-Militaire–Moka (electoral district 8), was found dead in October 2020.

His death was initially ruled a suicide. However, a judicial inquiry ordered by a Moka magistrate revealed many inconsistencies in the police account.

The report, submitted on November 22, 2021, highlighted serious lapses by investigators and questioned the conclusions of police forensic doctor Dr. Ananda Sunnassee.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam told Parliament that this case is “highly sensitive.” He stated that 98 people, including former Commerce Minister Yogida Sawmynaden, have been questioned.

He also criticized practices by the former police commissioner, whom he accused of ignoring directives from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Ramgoolam assured that the new CCID team, led by a new police commissioner, will review the entire investigation from scratch.

All testimonies will be reexamined, new leads explored, and attention will be paid to evidence previously overlooked.

Finally, the Prime Minister confirmed that international experts will be involved to clarify this case and others that were quickly closed as suicides.

“Justice must be served—not only for Kistnen’s family but for all those who lost loved ones in suspicious circumstances,” he said.

Source: l’Express