In detention since Monday, May 30, Inspector Hurryduth Derochoonee, 49, also known as Kailash, Sergeant Poonith Reedoye, 38, and Constable Keertiwansing Gokhool, 40, who were assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Terre-Rouge, were brought before the Pamplemousses court once again this Tuesday morning, June 7. Constable Purgaus, also from the CID of Terre-Rouge was arrested late in the afternoon of Monday June 6. They are all facing a provisional charge of “torture by public official”. The arrest of these police officers by the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID), follows a complaint made by Christopher Pierre Louis, on Monday, May 30, that the team of the CID of Terre-Rouge was denounced for torture on his person while he had been arrested. The video images of this torture scene that were posted on social networks in the evening of Saturday, May 28, have caused a sense of revolt throughout the country.
As the police objected to their release on parole, Inspector Derochoonee, Sergeant Reedoye, Constables Gokhool and Purgaus were taken back to the police cell. The four suspects were taken to the court under a strong escort of men from the Mauritian Police Task Force. Access was forbidden to members of the public as well as to journalists.
In the wake of this case, several police officers who were stationed at the CID of Terre-Rouge under the responsibility of Inspector Derochoonee were transferred in the afternoon of May 30 to the Special Mobile Force (SSU) and the Special Supporting Unit (SSU). In the early evening of the same day, CCID men were expected to arrest Inspector Derochoonee, Sergeant Reedoye and Constable Gokhool.
Inspector Derochoonee had already been suspended from duty before he was arrested on May 30. He was arrested by investigators from the Independent Commission against Corruption (Icac) in connection with a bribery case.
