One and a half year after the case broke in Parliament, Ajay Gunness finds himself involved in the same controversy but even more seriously. He was questioned by members of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Friday afternoon. He was asked details about renovation works in his office that had already caused a stir in April 2005 when he was still minister of Public Infrastructure.

The then leader of the opposition, Navin Ramgoolam, made it the topic of his Private Notice Question (PNQ) to the then PM, Paul Bérenger. He suspected some “colourable device” in the contract allocation to Archinter Services Ltd, as it seemed to have been awarded after the works were already completed. Paul Bérenger gave details about the way the contract had been allocated – through the Development Works Corporation (DWC) – and stressed that there was “nothing fishy” in the case and that “everything was absolutely in order”.

A ministerial committee was, however, set up to enquire into the allegations and the case referred to the Icac for a more in-depth enquiry. This has finally led to the questioning under warning of the former minister – now an opposition MP – by the anti-corruption commission.

Accompanied by his panel of lawyers, he was confronted with the different versions incriminating him in the contract allocation for the renovation works. According to these statements, the alleged infractions fall under Sections 7 and 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act concerning “public official using his office for gratification” and “influencing public official”. He has asked the Icac for details of the allegations against him and for documents.

<B>Reiterates trust</B>

A press photographer is also said to have summoned by the Icac for questioning. This photographer is said to have shown pictures of the office of ex-minister Gunness after its renovation but before the contract was officially allocated to Archinter Services Ltd.

Just as while he was PM, Paul Bérenger continues to be adamant that his colleague has nothing to reproach himself with. At his rally in Goodlands last Friday, he reiterated his trust in Ajay Gunness and claimed that it was “one more invention to discredit opposition MP Gunness”.

However, the opposition MP is not the only one in the sights of Icac. The minister of Lands and Housing has also borne the brunt of the fresh determination of the anti-corruption institution. Asraf Dulull was questioned last Thursday concering the allegations of bribery over the IRS project at Bel-Air Sugar Estate (BASE). But this enquiry might not proceed any further than that undertaken by the police since there is no direct testimony or evidence. However, the alleged “agent” between the minister and BASE, Rafiq Peermamode, could soon be in serious difficulties. The case broke after the PRO of BASE, Anil Nemchand, made a statement to the police that Rafiq Peermamode had allegedly asked him for a Rs 50 million commission on behalf of minister Dulull.

These two cases nevertheless give an inkling that the new Icac top management wants to show it means business. The institution has not been so active for a long time…