A 38-year-old policeman, Ashley Lindsay Duval, and 25-year-old Jean Alexandre Johanny Natchoo, appeared before the Intermediate Court on October 28, 2026. They pleaded not guilty to charges related to incidents that occurred on October 13, 2026, in La Gaulette. Duval, a resident of L'Escalier, is accused of having an offensive weapon during curfew, while Natchoo, from Trois-Boutiques, is charged with violating the curfew.
According to the charges, Duval was found in possession of three sabers and a baseball bat at around 11 pm on October 13, 2026, in La Gaulette, while the curfew was in effect from 8:30 pm to 6 am the next day. Natchoo is also accused of violating the curfew in the same area on the same day. Both individuals have been granted bail and their trials have been scheduled for January 2027.
The trial for Ashley Lindsay Duval has been set for January 25, 2027, while Jean Alexandre Johanny Natchoo's trial will be heard on January 21, 2027. Seven witnesses have been summoned in each case. The accused individuals, represented by their respective lawyers, Niven Mootoosamy and Vishnu Ramdonee, requested their release on bail, which was not opposed by Principal State Counsel, Kevin Moorghen.
The magistrate, Kevina Poollay-Mootien, granted the accused individuals bail under certain conditions. Each person must provide a cash bond of Rs 10,000 and sign a debt acknowledgment of Rs 200,000. They are also required to report to their local police station daily between 6 am and 6 pm and adhere to a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am.
The accused individuals have been given a temporary reprieve, but they will have to face the court again in January 2027. The prosecution will present their case, and the accused will have the opportunity to defend themselves. The outcome of the trials will depend on the evidence presented and the arguments made by both sides.
The case highlights the importance of adhering to curfew regulations and the consequences of violating them. The authorities take such offenses seriously, and individuals found guilty may face penalties. The case also raises questions about the role of law enforcement officers in upholding the law and the consequences of their actions when they are accused of violating it.
The court proceedings have concluded for now, and the accused individuals have been released on bail. The trials will resume in January 2027, and the court will determine their fate. The case will continue to be monitored, and the outcome will be reported accordingly.
Key points
- A policeman and another individual have pleaded not guilty to charges related to possessing offensive weapons and violating curfew in Mauritius.
- The accused individuals have been granted bail and their trials have been scheduled for January 2027.
- The case highlights the importance of adhering to curfew regulations and the consequences of violating them.
