Why was councillor Ramloll of the municipality of Quatre-Bornes arrested?

The Antidrug and Smuggling Unit, following information on a shady business, arrested councillor Bimla Ramloll on 24th October with Rs 259 500 and fake receipts for licences for stalls in Quatre-Bornes fair. She is provisionally charged with influence peddling. The driver of the vehicle, Viraj Poorun, Chetanund Pursun , a councillor and Mohamed Domah, a real estate agent, were also arrested before being released on bail.

How are they involved?

Bindu Ramloll stated to the police that she was only an intermediary. The driver was to find people to rent unoccupied stalls. Pursun, who chairs the committee that allocates the stalls, talks of a plot to ruin his chances of becoming mayor.

Why has the enquiry been transferred to the Icac?

Since it concerns alleged influence peddling, bribery and corruption, Icac investigators are now scrutinising the procedures for the allocation of stalls. Strangely enough, the names of 15 individuals who state they have paid for stalls and got receipts from the municipality do not exist in any records.

What is the political issue?

The PMXD has suspended councillor Ramloll pending the end of the enquiry. The mayoress, who was abroad on mission, is very concerned. But, more importantly, on the eve of the election of mayors, this scandal is bound to shake the Social Alliance. It could even lead to the revocation of the whole municipal council followed by new elections.