Bribery Probe: ASP Seewoo and Four Ex-Officers Face FCC Investigation

A serving police officer and four former members of the Mauritius Police Force are under investigation for alleged bribery, according to a report by Le Défi Media. ASP Rajcoomar Seewoo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, is among those targeted by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) — Mauritius's dedicated anti-corruption and financial crime body — alongside four ex-officers whose identities have not been fully disclosed. **Who is the FCC?** The Financial Crimes Commission is an independent statutory authority in Mauritius responsible for investigating corruption, money laundering, and related financial offences. It was established under the Financial Crimes Commission Act and has the power to investigate both public officials and private individuals. It operates separately from the police force, giving it independence when cases involve law enforcement personnel. **What are the allegations?** The investigation centres on suspicions of pot-de-vin — the French legal term for bribes or corrupt payments. While specific details of the alleged transactions have not yet been made public, the involvement of serving and former police officers raises serious questions about integrity within the force. ASP rank — Assistant Superintendent of Police — sits in the upper tier of the Mauritius Police Force's officer hierarchy, making this a significant case if allegations are substantiated. **Why does this matter?** Corruption probes targeting police officers are relatively rare in Mauritius but carry significant public interest, particularly at a time when trust in public institutions is under scrutiny. The fact that the FCC — rather than an internal police disciplinary body — is leading the investigation signals that the alleged conduct may involve criminal offences beyond simple misconduct. The inclusion of four *former* officers suggests the alleged conduct may date back some time, or that individuals left the force before or during the period under review. **What happens next?** FCC investigations can lead to criminal charges, civil asset recovery proceedings, or both. Those under investigation are not automatically charged — the commission must gather sufficient evidence before any case is referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for prosecution. No charges have been announced at this stage, and no convictions have been recorded. All individuals named are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Source: Le Défi Media