Raj Dayal has passed away on Sunday 19 December at the age of 72. His death has been attributed to a heart attack. His cremation took place on Monday 20 December at 2 pm at the Phoenix cemetery and attracted both his supporters and political opponents, who came to pay their last respects to a Soldier! His brother, Satish Dayal remains inconsolable and says that Raj Dayal was stressed over his still unsolved trial.
Remembered as a patriot
His death was attributed to natural causes. His departure would have shocked and saddened the entire country as we hear and read the messages that have been transmitted via the broadcasts and social networks. There was a moving farewell by several personalities of the political sphere. Suren Dayal, cousin of Raj Dayal stated that“ He was a great fighter” while the Opposition leader, Xavier-Luc Duval said “My thoughts and prayers go out to the Dayal family, who have suffered from Raj’s death. My sincere condolences, especially to his wife and children. I knew him as a Police Commissioner and as a colleague in government. He was very kind, always willing to help others and of course always very energetic. He was a friend.” Arvind Boolell conveyed his deepest sympathies to the family and recalled that “Raj Dayal was highly appreciated for his loyalty by his colleagues when he was a Police Commissioner”. Sooroojdev Phokeer, the Speaker of the National Assembly, said, “I have lost a friend.” Salim Abbas Mamode reveals that for him “He was a go-getter. Outside of politics, Raj Dayal and I were like two brothers, like two scouts.” Education Minister, Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun described Raj Dayal as “a patriot“. Attorney General, Maneesh Gobin said “He is a fallen soldier. He was known for his discipline.” For Jacques Panglose, his lawyer: “I am shocked by the death of my friend… I defended him with all my soul.” Nando Bodha, for his part, said: “It is with great sadness that I learned of Raj Dayal’s death. At this difficult time, I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and all those affected by his passing”. They had only words of praise for the patriot and messages of support to his family. The most inconsolable was his brother, Satish Dayal who related that “he had a heart attack while he was working in his garden. He was already a cardiac patient. He had a heart surgery one year ago“. However, the latter did not hide the trial in “the Bal Kouler case was tiring him a lot, this case was stressing him and affecting him a lot“. His supporters remember him as a disciplinarian figure with unparalleled frankness, a great man who leaves a great void with his departure.
Highlights of his career
For the record, Raj Dayal will be remembered as Commissioner of Police from 1994 to 2000 and then Minister of Environment from December 2014 to March 2016 in the Lepep Alliance party. After military studies in Europe and India, he joined the police force in 1971. He will be known as the first military pilot, one of the first elite commandos. In 1986, he became the youngest commander of the Special Mobile Force. 12 years later, he became Commissioner of Police in 1994 until 2000 when he was removed from office after a suspension in 1997 following a commission of enquiry into irregularities against him. Nevertheless, under the Lepep Alliance, he was elected to Flacq/Bon-Accueil in 2014 where he took the post of Minister of the Environment. However, a new case, that of Bal Kouler, will weigh on him and he will resign in March 2016. This controversy has been ongoing at the Financial Crimes Division under a charge of ‘bribery by public official’ and has not yet been resolved. Having pleaded not guilty, his next hearing is scheduled for 10 January 2022.
