In a recent development, the lawyers of Nasser Bheeky have expressed concerns over the slow pace of the Financial Crimes Commission's (FCC) investigation into the Ravatomanga case. Me Samade Goolamally, Bheeky's lawyer, confirmed that they are planning to approach the Supreme Court to expedite the investigation, citing inertia on the part of the FCC. The lawyers believe that the probe has reached a dead end and are exploring options to transfer the case to another authority.
The case dates back to last year, with the FCC initiating an investigation into allegations involving a meeting held on October 14, 2025, in Quatre-Bornes. The meeting led to the arrest of two individuals: Nasser Bheeky and former commissioner Junaid Fakim. The FCC had found sufficient grounds for the arrests, based on which it had presented a key piece of evidence - a recording on a USB drive submitted by Bheeky himself.
However, three weeks after submitting the crucial evidence, Bheeky's lawyers claim that Jean Karl Élysée, an individual allegedly close to the Prime Minister's office at the time and implicated in the recording, has not been summoned by the FCC. This delay has led Bheeky's team to question the effectiveness of the investigation and suspect that the case is not being pursued.
The development marks a significant shift, as typically it is the accused who challenges the impartiality of an investigation. In this case, however, it is the whistleblower, Bheeky, who has himself been arrested, that is questioning the FCC's ability to handle the case. Bheeky's lawyers argue that this situation warrants intervention from the judiciary to ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly.
The FCC had earlier justified the arrests of Bheeky and Fakim based on the meeting in Quatre-Bornes, despite the Acting Director of Investigations, Paramhans Aleear, acknowledging on August 27 that there was no legal prohibition on such a meeting at the time. This justification, however, has not been applied uniformly, as evidenced by the lack of action against Élysée.
Bheeky's lawyers are now contemplating approaching the Supreme Court to seek a transfer of the case to another investigative body. This move underscores their growing dissatisfaction with the FCC's handling of the case and their desire to ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair and timely manner.
The case involves allegations of financial irregularities amounting to Rs 350 million and has been ongoing since last year. With Bheeky's lawyers pushing for swift action, the Supreme Court's intervention may be crucial in determining the future course of the investigation and ensuring that justice is delivered.
Key points
- Nasser Bheeky's lawyers consider legal action against FCC over stalled probe
- Investigation into Ravatomanga case has been stalled for three weeks
- Case involves allegations of financial irregularities amounting to Rs 350 million
