Antoine Chetty and his relatives were almost certain that justice would be lenient to him. Vinay Deelchand’s former bodyguard, who has tried to bargain immunity from prosecution against revelations on unsolved crimes, has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined Rs 200,000. His lawyers are thinking of appealing to the Supreme Court.

Appearing in the Assizes Court before Judge Nalini Matadeen, Antoine Chetty had pleaded guilty on the first charge of selling 23.8g of heroin to Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit officer Jogeegadoo, which brought him five years’ imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine. He also pleaded guilty for possession of 814.6g of heroin in his house. As a result, he obtained twelve years’ imprisonment and Rs 120,000 fine. He’ll serve the sentences concurrently. The charge of drug trafficking retained against him was struck out after he pleaded not guilty.

<B>Disappointment at verdict</B>

In his speech for the defence, Samad Goolamaully explained that Antoine Chetty had helped to dismantle an important criminal network. Judge Nalini Matadeen conceded that he had helped the police and the judiciary to throw light on various sordid cases but she reminded him that this didn’t excuse or erase his past crimes. There is the need to protect society.

The now notorious bodyguard expressed his regrets and recognized that he had to pay for his crimes. However, disappointment could be seen on his face when Judge Matadeen announced the sentence. His partner, Anju Lallah, and his mother, Aimée, couldn’t believe he had been handed such a “severe judgment.” The former insists on the fact that he wasn’t totally aware of all the ins and outs of the crimes he had committed. “Antoine was like a robot. What is a bodyguard’s role? To protect his boss. Not to question him.”

Antoine Chetty adopts the same attitude: “I know that people think I am a criminal and that they don’t like me. But this was the nature of my job (…) Deep down, I’m not like that. But I’m conscious of my mistakes and I beg all those people I have hurt to pardon me.”

The repentant said he would collaborate with the police as he has already done. He has reiterated his willingness to testify against notary Deelchand when the latter is tried at the Assizes Court in March.

However, “I’m not a saint. I’ve got a wife and a daughter who need me and I won’t spend the rest of my life in prison.” He has thus decided to reflect on the judgment and see how far he will collaborate with the police. He should give his decision today. Will it be a sort of blackmail in view of his future appeal?