Fraud at the Vacoas Popular Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society: Former President Kamla Kumari Purmessur Requests to Halt Her Trial

Kamla Kumari Purmessur, 71, is contesting the criminal charges brought against her. The former president of the Vacoas Popular Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society alleges profound moral and familial harm, citing the sluggishness of the investigation that has been ongoing for nearly fourteen years.

Facing a criminal trial over fraud at the Vacoas Popular Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, Kamla Kumari Purmessur is requesting the termination of the proceedings against her in the intermediate court. She claims procedural abuse and an "inordinate delay" in the case, with the alleged crimes occurring between May 2007 and September 2011.

"I am one of the founding members of this society. This case has brought me great distress and has affected me morally. My family relationships and my interactions with neighbors have all been impacted. People look at me and make remarks; it’s not easy. I am tired of all this..." stated the former cooperative president, aged 71, before the intermediate court during discussions surrounding her request.

This resident of Curepipe was responding to questions from her lawyer, Me Sailesh Seebaruth. She was also cross-examined by Me Bhamini Prayag-Rajcoomar, Principal State Counsel. "I am suffering more than a tear; I feel like I am in a fire," added Kamla Kumari Purmessur.

Additionally, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dieudonné, assigned to the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID), confirmed during the trial that he had sworn an affidavit outlining the timeline of the case and explaining the delays.

When questioned by Me Seebaruth, the witness indicated that the file had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions' office in December 2016 for advice. This office returned it to the police recommending that further investigations be conducted. Subsequently, charges were initiated against the septuagenarian. According to ASP Dieudonné, this was a complex case.

The witness was also asked about Police Sergeant Ragoo, the lead investigator in this case, who has been consistently absent during the trial. ASP Dieudonné informed the court that Sergeant Ragoo is currently in Canada, and his return date remains uncertain.

After listening to the arguments from both sides, Magistrate Kevina Poollay-Mootien will announce her decision on November 27, 2025.

In this case, Kamla Kumari Purmessur faces 29 counts of conspiracy before the intermediate court. She is accused of conspiring with a third party to commit fraud amounting to a total of Rs 222,200,000 within the cooperative. The embezzled sums range between Rs 1 million and Rs 36 million. The offenses are alleged to have taken place between May 31, 2007, and September 1, 2011, in Bonne-Terre, Vacoas. She has pleaded not guilty.