Already one month since Antoine Chetty started denouncing the existence of a crime network around a land mafia. Since the questioning of the suspect is nearly completed, the Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) has been busy over the past few days confronting the ?alleged godfather? of the network, his former boss, notary Vinay Deelchand, with the allegations of drug trafficking, murder, attempts at murder and arson made by Chetty against him. A the same time, there is growing pressure on the need to identify the police officers, who might have been involved in the ?cover up? of the past crimes of that network.

The notary is facing two new charges. Apart from that of ?drug trafficking with aggravating circumstances?, he is provisionally accused of a murder attempt on Philippe Calou at Le Bouchon and arson at Anwar Toorabally?s in Port-Louis. New charges could be lodged as the questioning continues. Until now, Vinay Deelchand has denied all the accusations, saying that Antoine Chetty?s allegations are not credible since he is himself involved in these offences.

However, Samad Goolamally, Antoine Chetty?s lawyer, in an interview by l?express, promised new evidence, which will confirm his client?s allegations. The latter, he says, is reliable and perfectly credible. ?This week, you will see what strong evidence we will present,? he says. ?Until now, all his allegations have been counter-checked. There are undeniable facts and some of the testimonies could have much weight in Court. He has been talking for four weeks now. I can?t remember him contradicting himself once.?

The prosecution still objects to the notary?s release on bail. The police think that he might ?tamper with witnesses and evidence?. There are too many people concerned directly or indirectly in the cases where the notary is allegedly involved. Many have been arrested and are detained while there are other suspects that the ADSU might question in days to come.

According to Antoine Chetty, the notary gave him instructions to kill Philippe Calou since the latter did not give in to him. Deelchand wanted a plot of land at Le Bouchon but Calou resisted, as he knew the plot of land did not belong to the notary. Chetty has alleged that Deelchand and his accomplice Veeren Mooraghen contracted him to do the dirty work; Calou was stabbed and left on the road. But the plan failed as passers-by took him to hospital and he did not die.

Anwar Toorabally?s problems with Deelchand were also over a plot of land. He had sold a piece of land in Bois Pignolet in Terre-Rouge to Vinay Deelchand for Rs 3 million. The notary paid only Rs 1.6 million. As he was tired of asking for his money and was not getting anything, Toorabally threatened to sue the notary. As a result, his garage was set on fire and he was saved by a phone call from his neighbour.

Antoine Chetty relates those events that date from ten years ago with amazing precision. Just as amazing is his sudden decision to repent. Nothing has yet explained this spectacular about-turn. His lawyer has turned down any possibility of a grudge against his employer. ?When he was arrested, he became conscious of having harmed his family and children. He cracked up. He has always been very close to his ex-wife and children.? How come then that such a sensitive man could be involved in such crimes?

To unravel this sinister tangle of drug trafficking, alleged murder and arson, the ADSU has definitely a lot on its plate. Moreover, it now has to enquire into possible links between the notary and former commissioner of police Raj Dayal. The Adsu is now checking those allegations. The commissioner of police has also ordered an internal enquiry to find out if other senior police officers were closely related to the network.

Moreover, the Adsu may have made some headway this week-end with the statement of Mamade Fezal Buglah, one of the notary?s former partners, who is said to have been the victim of a murder attempt. He has explained how Deelchand managed to ?steal plots of land? from clients. He has allegedly given concrete examples and mentioned names of persons involved in the network to ?do the dirty work or protect the notary from prosecution?.

His questioning seems to have been a mine of information that will help the Adsu to continue the enquiry. One other step for the Adsu will be to see if there is a link between Deelchand and the cyanide poisoning that led to the death of former Labour agent, Rajeshwur Indur.

<B>A lot of fuss...</B>

The spin-off of the Deelchand saga, Dev Hurnam, remains the talk of the town. After the buoyant barrister MP was discharged from hospital, he should have been detained in police cell, but he asked the police to take him to the Supreme Court to swear an affidavit to refute the DPP's objection to his release on bail. He then asked to be driven to Med Point clinic. A police pathologist confirmed the hospital diagnostic but a letter from his doctor recommending medical monitoring finally convinced the police to take him to the clinic where he has been staying since then. Dev Hurnam has refuted Chetty?s allegations in the affidavit he swore.