Stirring A Hornet’s Nest
Editorial
Kistnen’s Murder & Shibchurn’s Affidavit
The case of the murder of Soopramanien Kistnen, whose charred body was discovered in a sugar cane field in October 2020, has remained unresolved despite a judicial inquiry set up by the then Director of Public Prosecutions. That widely followed public enquiry, presided over by magistrate Vidya Mungroo-Jugurnath, dismissing the suicide theory pushed by the police, concluded in October 2022 to a clear case of a criminal homicide, urging Police to renew their investigations in those directions. As we know, not much happened since and the case was turning cold despite pressing appeals from the widow and others.
This week, the case took a significant turn with an affidavit sworn by Vishal Shibchurn, an officer of the Fire and Rescue Services currently under interdiction. In his affidavit, Shibchurn claims a belated awakening “governed by my conscience to fearlessly expose the misdeeds of the higher authorities and unscrupulous persons of my country.” Despite this statement, whether he had any motivations beyond remorse remain unclear, and he denies any “direct implication and/or involvement whatsoever in the murder.”
Shibchurn must be aware of the serious risks of swearing a false affidavit, which could lead to charges of perjury or false declaration. Despite this, his affidavit names several individuals connected to the murder of Soopramanien Kistnen, though not all are directly implicated. Given the gravity of the allegations and Shibchurn’s own legal complications, the press has taken a cautious approach. Consequently, not all the details or names mentioned in the affidavit have been widely publicized, in order to avoid potential repercussions and ensure accuracy. However, the details provided go beyond what was revealed in the judicial inquiry report, excerpts of which were leaked to the press. Shibchurn’s affidavit suggests a significant political and financial motivation behind the murder and subsequent events. The individuals named are allegedly interconnected through various roles in the conspiracy and cover-up surrounding the murder.Read More… Become a Subscriber
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 2 August 2024
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