Lawyer Valayden Demands Drug Test on Cop Arrested After Camp-Levieux Shooting

Prominent Mauritian human rights lawyer Rama Valayden has publicly demanded that a drug test be carried out on the police sergeant arrested in connection with the shooting of a woman at Camp-Levieux, a residential area in the east of Mauritius. The call adds a new dimension to an already deeply troubling case that has shaken public confidence in the Mauritius Police Force. A female victim — identified in other reports as Élodie Thomas — was shot in the incident, which prompted swift condemnation from across the political spectrum and a personal pledge from Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam that there would be no cover-up. **Why Valayden Is Calling for a Drug Test** Rama Valayden, a well-known barrister and political figure in Mauritius, is arguing that investigators should not limit their inquiry to the circumstances of the shooting alone. By demanding a drug test on the arrested sergeant, Valayden is raising the possibility that substance use may have been a factor in the officer's conduct — a claim that, if substantiated, would have serious implications for both the individual and the institution. Valayden has a history of taking up high-profile cases involving alleged police misconduct and has frequently used the media to apply pressure on authorities to conduct thorough investigations. **What We Know About the Camp-Levieux Incident** A police sergeant was arrested following the shooting, which is being treated as a serious criminal matter. The victim required specialist medical attention — reports indicate that four Indian surgeons were flown in to operate on her, underlining the severity of her injuries. The case has triggered wider questions about vetting, oversight, and conduct standards within the Mauritius Police Force, which falls under the authority of the Commissioner of Police and is overseen by the Police and Prisons Service Commission. **What This Means** If authorities agree to conduct a drug test, the results could significantly shape the legal proceedings against the sergeant and raise broader questions about substance abuse screening within the police force. Mauritius has strict drug laws under the Dangerous Drugs Act, and a serving officer testing positive would be an extraordinary development. The public and political pressure — from Valayden, from the Prime Minister's office, and from civil society — suggests this case will not be quietly resolved. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the body established to investigate complaints against police in Mauritius, plays an active role in the inquiry. Source: Le Defi Media