DPP to Appeal after Court Halts 23 Charges against Navin Ramgoolam

The Financial Crimes Division of the Intermediate Court has ordered a permanent stay of proceedings in the high-profile “safe-deposit box” trial of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. Following the ruling on Monday afternoon, 8 June 2026, the prosecution announced it will appeal the decision.

Judicial Integrity at Risk

Magistrates Bibi Razia Jannoo-Jaunbocus and Abdool Raheem Tajoodeen upheld several arguments submitted by the defence regarding an abuse of process.

The court specifically highlighted the “failure of police to investigate the serious allegations” raised by Ramgoolam’s legal team, including claims of a potential political vendetta.

The magistrates determined that allowing the trial to continue under such conditions would compromise the integrity of the judicial system, concluding that “continuing proceedings in those circumstances will amount to an abuse of process of this court.”

Cash Allegations and Defence Arguments

The Prime Minister faced 23 charges involving cash payments that allegedly exceeded the legal threshold established under the Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Act (FIAMLA).

The prosecution alleged that the cash payments totalled Rs 63.8 million between 2009 and 2015.

Led by Robin Ramburn, Senior Counsel, the defence argued that the former Prime Minister had been targeted by a politically motivated campaign following a change of government in 2014.

Prosecution to Appeal

Immediately after the ruling was delivered, the representative for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Nataraj Muneesamy, announced that the DPP’s office will lodge an appeal against the court’s decision to halt the trial.

Source: Defi Media