A former minister, Kalpana Koonjoo-Shah, has been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting from a Carrefour supermarket in Riche-Terre. She was allegedly caught on camera placing three cosmetic products into her bag without paying for them. The ex-minister of Gender Equality denies the allegations, claiming the items were placed in her bag by mistake.

The Incident

The incident unfolded shortly after midday on Friday, September 19, at the Carrefour hypermarket.

Security personnel observed a woman, later identified as Koonjoo-Shah, in the cosmetics aisle. They watched as she allegedly slid three items into a woollen bag: a Love Bites brand mascara and two Maybelline lipsticks, one black and one brown.

Security staff monitored her until she reached checkout number 4, where she paid for other purchases but left the store without paying for the cosmetics.

She was stopped immediately after leaving the checkout area and was later confronted with surveillance footage at the Terre-Rouge Criminal Investigation Division (CID) office.

The total value of the items is Rs 2,140, broken down as Rs 790, Rs 760, and Rs 590.

Former Minister Released on Parole

In a statement to police, made in the presence of her lawyer, Me Akash Aumeer, Koonjoo-Shah explained that she had been holding her car keys and the cosmetic products in her hands.

She claimed that while putting her keys into her bag, she accidentally slid the cosmetics in with them.

She further stated that she later forgot to place the items on the conveyor belt at the checkout.

Her lawyer confirmed that she denies any intent to steal and has fully cooperated with the investigation.

The former minister was released on parole after a lengthy interrogation and is due to appear in court this Monday, September 22.

The investigation is being handled by the Terre-Rouge police’s criminal division.

Source: Defi Media