Last week, the attorney general, Rama Valayden, and the head of the Commission of Human Rights, Dhiraj Seetulsingh, summoned the so-called “super cop” to make sure he was not battering suspects during his investigations. He denied all the accusations but he conceded that he sometimes raises his voice and explains: “You have to understand that all suspects try to hide behind accusations of police brutality to get out of their difficult situations.”

This has not satisfied members of the bar. The recent conflict between Prem Raddhoa and lawyer Yousuf Mohamed and his son, Shakeel, does not help. Yousuf Mohamed asserts that the policeman called him and verbally accused him of attempting to murder on Navin Ramgoolam. He is also said to have claimed that he would do everything to prove that MP lawyer Shakeel Mohammed formed part of the so-called death squadron. Prem Raddhoa admits he has talked to Yousuf Mohammed on the phone but denies the details of the conversation.

His colleagues do not seem to appreciate the “super cop” either. As head of the MCIT, he is supposed to have a right of inspection on all crimes and offences in the country. But he recently complained that he had not been informed when Gérard Gervigny’s body was found in Albion. In fact, it may have been intentional to leave him aside. Other officers might be jealous of his position. The former MCIT head, Gyan Unmar, remains unconviced that Raddhoa will succeed. “It is big publicity, that’s all.”

If lawyers and policemen are not convinced of Prem Raddhoa’s abilities and good faith, the public looks confident about his capacity to solve mysterious crimes. Since his comeback, people have flocked to his office asking him to reopen and solve some cases. He is so self-confident that people believe he indeed is a “super cop”.

He has already re-opened several pending enquiries among them the disappearance of Ackmez, of Ismaël Dobah and the couple in Pomponnette, the alleged suicide at Bassin-Blanc and Nadine Dantier’s rape and murder. The Dantier family have every confidence in the MCIT head and hope that he will help find Nadine’s murderer after more than two years of uncertainity. As for Bassin-Blanc, the DPP has already ordered the opening of of a judicial enquiry. Forensic scientist, Satish Boolell, will be questioned in Court, as he was the one who expressed his suspicions of foul play in the couple’s death.

Even though it has often been mentioned that he owes his position to his contacts at government level, Prem Raddhoa undeniably has the reputation of someone who delivers the goods with the public. Only time will tell if he deserves it.

<B>MCB hold-up suspect accuses Raddhoa of brutality</B>

Dewananda Subbayoyan was arrested and provisionally accused of “possession of stolen property” following a statement made by his son, Vinesen, to the police. The latter said that he had given Rs 6 million to his father after the hold-up at the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB). But a few days later, he maintained he had said that because Raddhoa’s team had battered him into confessing. His brother Vissen has also been arrested on the same charge of “possession of stolen property”. Forensic scientist Gujjalu confirmed in a report after examining Vinesen that the latter had been beaten. “There was no doubt that he had sustained bodily injury from two days before”. He prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers for the many bruises Vinesen had all over his body.