Ex-GIS Chief Took 8 Trips with Former PM, Total Cost Hits Rs 1.3 Million

The professional conduct and overseas travel of former Government Information Service (GIS) official, Kavish Pultoo, came under intense scrutiny in Parliament on Tuesday, November 11th, with Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam confirming that “enquiries are ongoing” into the matter.

The revelation stems from Pultoo’s involvement in an “apparently urgent security mission” in May 2024, during which he accompanied the former Acting Director of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Lilram Deal.

Costly Travel and Anti-Money Laundering Probe

The parliamentary questioning was compounded by the fact that ACP Lilram Deal has been arrested by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) and faces a provisional charge of money laundering before the Port Louis court.

The FCC alleges that on June 28th, 2022, Deal possessed a sum of Rs 4,587,000 in a joint bank account with his wife, believed to originate from illicit activities.

Details of Pultoo’s Overseas Missions

Responding to a query from MP Nitish Beejan concerning Pultoo’s remunerated positions and overseas trips between 2015 and 2024, Prime Minister Ramgoolam disclosed further details:

• Total Missions: Between 2015 and 2024, Mr. Pultoo participated in 10 missions abroad.
• Accompanying the Former PM: Eight of these missions were conducted in the company of the former Prime Minister.
• Total Cost: The total expenditure for these missions amounted to Rs 1,359,997.57.

The Prime Minister’s answers, delivered during the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT), put a spotlight on the costs and security implications surrounding the former GIS official’s travel, especially his association with the high-profile police official now embroiled in the ‘Reward Money’ investigation.

Source: Defi Media