1 BoM Union Leader Interdicted Over “Rogue and Vagabond” Charge

The Bank of Mauritius (BoM) has suspended Chidanand Rughoobur, the president of the Bank of Mauritius Employees Union, over a provisional charge of “Rogue and Vagabond” stemming from a local neighbourhood dispute in Mahébourg. This move, detailed in a confidential letter from the bank, comes amid a period of significant upheaval and scandal at the central bank.

The suspension, effective immediately, barring Rughoobur from accessing BoM premises and requiring him to surrender all official documents, files, and his access badge.

Despite being interdicted from his duties as an analyst, he remained an employee and will continue to be paid.

According to the letter, dated 21 August and signed by Sharadhanand Gopaul, the director of Accounting and Budgeting, the decision was made after the BoM received legal documents regarding the provisional charge from the Grand-Port tribunal.

Rughoobur’s suspension is being viewed by some as an attempt to stifle internal dissent, as he is a vocal critic of the bank’s leadership.

This action unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing financial and institutional scandals at the central bank.

There are also reports that Governor Rama Sithanen is facing an imminent departure, with the Mouvement militant mauricien party reportedly eyeing the top position.

Adding to the complexity, the suspension letter was signed by the same individual, Sharadhanand Gopaul, who himself was suspended just days earlier in a separate matter involving Tevin Sithanen and Rajeev Hasnah, the second Deputy Governor.

This earlier suspension was reportedly linked to internal conflicts over human resources with Gérard Sanspeur, the third-in-command at the BoM, and has added to the internal friction between Sithanen and Hasnah.

Source: l’Express