The Prime Minister is claiming Rs 50 million from the MMM leader and the newspaper, Le Mauricien. The complaint for defamation was lodged on 15 October 2018 at the Supreme Court. The MSM leader maintains that certain remarks made by Paul Bérenger, such as accusing the MSM of engaging in “Money Politics“, are “false, malicious and highly defamatory“. The Prime Minister is accusing that media group of having disseminated these remarks in its publications and on its website.
At political rallies on 30 August, 07 September, and 23 September 2017, the MMM leader had accused members of the MSM of “corruption” and had made several other allegations against them. These comments were then reported by the daily newspaper. On the same day, during a congress at the Renaissance College in Curepipe, Paul Bérenger had made allegations accusing members of the MSM of “corruption“, “abuse” and profiting from money obtained from drug trafficking and illegal betting on horse races.
The same happened on 07 September 2017 at a congress at La Tour Koenig, and again on 23 September 2017 at MMM’s anniversary congress. Paul Bérenger also claimed that money of dubious origin would be used during the elections.
The MSM leader asserts that the comments of MMM’s leader are “false, malicious, highly defamatory and cause enormous harm“.
Pravind Jugnauth maintains that Paul Bérenger has damaged his reputation and honor.
The case has been set for 17 January 2024.
