Ex-Telecom CEO Wins 6-Year Defamation Suit, Securing Apology

The protracted six-year legal dispute between Sherry Singh, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mauritius Telecom (MT), and Top FM Ltd has concluded with an accord officially ratified in the Supreme Court. The agreement stipulates the withdrawal of serious allegations of influence peddling and the delivery of a public apology to Mr. Singh for the prejudice suffered.

Court Endorses Amicable Settlement

The matter, which saw Manvendra Singh (Sherry Singh) claim Rs 100 million in damages, was officially concluded on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, before Justice Renuka Dabee.

The Supreme Court homologated an amicable settlement presented by Mr. Singh’s counsel, Senior Counsel Me Urmila Boolell, on his behalf.

The agreement effectively grants Mr. Singh a victory against Top FM and Top TV after a prolonged legal process.

Defendants Issue ‘Unreserved’ Apology and Retraction

The defendants—Top FM Ltd, Top TV Ltd, Balkrishna Kaunhye, Murvind Beetun, and Deepak Persand—affirmed in the court agreement that they had no intention of causing harm, or of attacking Mr. Singh’s integrity or reputation.

Crucially, they unreservedly withdrew all imputations, which included accusations of influence peddling, conspiracy, blackmail, extortion, and “dubious transactions.”

They acknowledged that “no evidence” was ever established to prove the complainant had committed any such acts.

The defendants also offered their sincere apologies for the distress, prejudice, and embarrassment caused.

Roots of the Dispute and Allegations

The dispute originated from an interview broadcast on Top TV’s YouTube channel on 25 October 2019, titled “Dans les entrailles du pouvoir – Episode 3 – The Sherry on the Cake.”

The programme, led by journalist Murvind Beetun, included comments from several speakers and referenced:

• “Dubious transactions,” “influence peddling,” and “extortion.”
• Fibre optic projects such as the installation of Serinity cables.
• The purported “Mars Gate” project in Rodrigues, estimated at approximately Rs 200 million and described as a “wedding gift” (kado maryaz).

In his original complaint, Mr. Singh, then the CEO of Mauritius Telecom, contended that these allegations wrongly implied he had fast-tracked fibre optic projects in violation of tender procedures, thereby prejudicing other contractors.

He accused the defendants of broadcasting serious, unfounded insinuations in an unprofessional manner.

Terms of the Settlement

Beyond the retraction and apology, the accord also mandates:

• The publication of the full, integral apology on the Top TV Mauritius Facebook page within 24 hours.
• The withdrawal of all publications related to the video, which had been viewed over 106,000 times.
• An undertaking by the defendants to never republish these specific allegations in any form.

Singh ‘Extremely Satisfied’

Following the ratification, Mr. Singh expressed his relief and satisfaction in a statement to Radio Plus. He stated, “Today, after almost six years, I have succeeded in cleansing my honour.”

He further explained that the programme, broadcast just before the 2019 election, contained “very strong allegations” against him by Mr. Kaunhye and his colleagues.

“I have had to carry this burden for several years. Today, I am extremely satisfied that Mr. Kaunhye and those who made the programme have presented their apologies,” Mr. Singh concluded.

Source: Defi Media