Aniketh Dookhit, a 28-year-old mason and resident of Albion Road, Petite-Rivière, died of a fractured skull after falling from a moving police vehicle on Monday, March 14. The man was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Petite-Rivière in connection with a case of stolen arouilles. This accident occurred during his transfer from the CID office in Petite-Rivière after his appearance at the court in Bambous.
The young man died in the intensive care unit of the Dr. A.G. Jeetoo Hospital in Port-Louis on Saturday evening, March 19. The autopsy attributed his death to a skull fracture. His father, Dilip Kumar Dookhit, gave his statement at the Petite-Rivière police station on the evening of Sunday, March 20, demanding a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of this tragedy. The family has retained the services of Me. Rouben Mooroongapillay in this case.
According to a statement made on the evening of Monday, March 14, a police officer from the CID of Petite-Rivière explained that the suspect had been brought before the court of Bambous on the same day on a provisional charge of theft. The court decided to keep him in a cell after the police objected to his release on parole. On his way back to detention at around 2:30 pm, he was handcuffed and placed in the back of the vehicle. Arriving near the Petite-Rivière health center, according to one of the two police officers escorting him, Aniketh Dookhit placed his hands outside the vehicle to open the door before jumping out onto the road.
The police officer, who was driving, immediately stopped the vehicle and the detainee was arrested. When questioned, he stated, “missie mo fini fek gagn case, mo pa envi ale prison enkor pou sa, mo ti pe rode sove. Sorry missie pou seki inn arrive, pa mett mwa dan cell”. Due to the wound on his forehead, scratches on his right shoulder and hands, he was taken to the local health center for treatment.
The doctor on duty recommended that he be taken to Dr. Jeetoo Hospital for proper care. After receiving treatment, he was admitted to the intensive care unit and his condition was of concern.
On Sunday morning, his body was autopsied at the mortuary of Dr Jeetoo Hospital by Dr Sudesh Kumar Gungadin, head of the forensic department of the police. He attributed her death to a skull fracture.
Lawyer Mooroongapillay expressed his intention to write to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to demand a judicial inquiry into the case.
