Seizure of Rs 1.7 Billion of Drugs in 2017: Navind Kistnah Pleads Not Guilty Before the Assize Court

Seizure of Rs 1.7 Billion of Drugs in 2017: Navind Kistnah Pleads Not Guilty Before the Assize Court

Defi Quotidien

Tue, 25/11/2025 - 11:30

The trial is set for May 2027.

Eight years after the seizure of 119,576.2 grams of heroin, hidden in six pressure sanders and valued at Rs 1.7 billion, former company director Navind Kistnah, 42, has pleaded not guilty. On Monday, November 24, 2025, he appeared before Judge Iqbal Maghooa. His trial at the Assize Court is scheduled from May 17 to 28, 2027.

On April 16, 2024, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) initiated formal proceedings against Navind Kistnah before the Assize Court. This 40-year-old, residing in Petite-Rivière, faces two formal charges. For the first charge, he is accused of organizing the importation of the drug, valued at Rs 1.7 billion, on March 9, 2017, at the Mauritius Container Terminal in the port area.

Regarding the second charge, the 40-year-old is being prosecuted for conspiracy in 2016 with Peroomal Veeren and his right-hand man, Keshwin Manish Seewoochurn, to import eight shipments of heroin. In this trial, a list of 21 witnesses has been compiled. He is represented by lawyer Me Neelkanth Dulloo, while the prosecution is led by Me Meenakshi Bhogun, Principal State Counsel.

It is worth noting that Navind Kistnah left Mauritius for South Africa on March 8, 2017, just before this significant seizure. He was later repatriated to Mauritius and placed in detention. Since then, he has been under special police escort for his court appearances.