On Tuesday 23rd November, Nunraj Dhawal, often referred to as Dr. Dhawal, was finally heard at the judicial inquiry to shed light on the death of the jockey, Nooresh Juglall. He had accompanied the jockey in the ambulance to City Clinic after the latter’s fall on Rule The Night on 15th May. Dr. Dhawal revealed that he is not a doctor himself but rather a chiropractor specialized in sports medicine.
Nunraj Dhawal said he has been working with the Mauritius Turf Club’s medical team since September 2018 and had been recruited to support Dr. Rehan Oozeerkhan, the club’s chief medical officer, on race days. As such, he has no contract with the MTC. It was agreed that he would be paid Rs 2,000 for each race but he has not been paid so far.
But the DPP representative, Mr Nataraj Muneesamy, referred to the statements made by Nunraj Dhawal to the Gaming Police on 14th September in which he said that he can take care of urgent cases, that he was practicing as a doctor and that he had just been appointed as “club doctor“. The chiropractor acknowledged making a statement but said he has signed it without reading it.
Magistrate Shavina Jugnauth said that that there were several inconsistencies between the witness’s statement in court and his statement to the police. Therefore, she ordered a police investigation.
Dr. Dhawal will continue his hearing on 30th November.
