The case relating to Maneesh Gobin and Rajanah Dhaliah’s challenge to the Private Prosecution initiated against them by Pandit Vivek Pursun, was called before Acting Chief Justice Nirmala Devat this morning. The representative of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Me Adeelah Hamuth, indicated that the DPP will lodge a “discontinuity of proceedings” before the Curepipe court in this case.

In the statement, Me Adeelah Hamuth states that after studying the file, in consultation with his officers, the DPP considered that there is not sufficient evidence to support the charges against Maneesh Gobin.

The statement emphasizes that the DPP’s decision is based on the information communicated to him by the Private Prosecutor, Vivek Pursun, on August 25 and 28, 2023 as well as September 4, 2023. “The elements provided are hearsay and are therefore not admissible in a court of law,” says Me Rashid Ahmine.

The DPP emphasizes that his decision should not be misinterpreted. He adds that he will only be able to comment on possible incriminating elements against Maneesh Gobin and Rajanah Dhaliah after ICAC has referred the file to him. He also specifies that he is awaiting the report from the Anti-Corruption Commission as soon as possible.

The DPP says he understands the expectation, which he describes as legitimate, of citizens for any offender to be brought to justice without delay. He stresses that it is in the public interest that investigations are completed within a reasonable time. With this in mind, he said he was counting on ICAC to submit its report as quickly as possible.