Sanjay Dawoodarry, Acting DG of the FCC: "No One is Above the Law"

Sanjay Dawoodarry, Acting Director General of the FCC, reiterated the commission's priorities in the wake of International Anti-Corruption Day last Tuesday. Reflecting on the arrest of former commissioner Fakim, he stated, "No one, regardless of their position or rank, is above the law."

What assessment do you make of the progress made in the fight against corruption, fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes?

Results must be viewed from various angles, including investigations and arrests, amendments to existing laws, and the transparency of investigations, which demonstrate the progress made over the past year. It is important to remember that the FCC's reputation has been tarnished in recent years, being viewed as a tool against political opponents. We have shown that the FCC remains a strong player in the fight against corruption and financial crime, and we are engaged in an unrelenting battle against criminals, including drug traffickers.

My assessment can therefore be summarized as follows: we have succeeded in restoring the FCC's image as an independent institution working in the public's interest. Regarding investigations, my priority is to finalize all "High Profile" cases to forward them to the DPP's office.

You often mention collaborations with local and international organizations. The Ravatomanga case is the most recent example. Can you tell us more about the strategic partnerships that have been developed this year?

The FCC is responsible for preventing, detecting, and investigating financial crimes. As you mentioned, the Ravatomanga case involved collaboration with various organizations, which enabled us to carry out our mission effectively. It is important to note that this year, the National Coordination Committee was established. This committee consists of the FCC's Director General, the DPP representative, the Solicitor General, representatives from the MRA, police, BoM, Financial Services, and GRA. It was created to improve coordination among institutions. The FCC also collaborates with civil society and the private sector.

Internationally, we receive assistance from organizations like the IACCC, FBI, CBI, Interpol, etc. The FCC actively participates in financial cooperation networks and information exchanges with foreign entities.

What measures have been taken to enhance the investigation and enforcement capabilities regarding financial crimes within the FCC?

The Financial Crimes Commission Act 2023 has strengthened the legal framework by merging several former institutions (ICAC, ARID, IRSA) into a single authority. This consolidation aims to increase institutional efficiency and the FCC's capacity for action. Thanks to legislative amendments, the FCC and the police can now conduct joint investigations into financial crimes.

The FCC has enhanced the skills of its investigators through several training programs: a partnership with the Indian Enforcement Directorate for a five-day workshop on money laundering and cross-border investigations; an intensive workshop with the International Centre for Asset Recovery focused on complex investigations and crypto-assets; structured training for new recruits; and ongoing training for all staff to keep up with evolving criminal methods.

What notable cases has the commission dealt with over the past year, and what progress have you observed in handling corruption cases in the public and private sectors?

There have been a significant number of high-profile and complex investigations that the FCC has worked on this year, resulting in the arrest of several suspects. However, our country and the FCC handled their largest case to date this year, investigating the possible State Capture in the Ravatomanga case in Madagascar. With over Rs 7 billion seized in Mauritius, this massive investigation spans multiple jurisdictions with over 100 corporate entities involved.

What are the main challenges you foresee for the FCC in the coming years in the fight against financial crimes? And what are your plans to further strengthen the commission's actions in this crucial area for the integrity of the financial system? Recently, there has been the alleged involvement and arrest of one of the commission's commissioners.

The main challenges for the upcoming year include the growing sophistication of financial crimes, the need to restore public confidence, and the imperative to address investigation files in shorter timeframes. To tackle this, the FCC will develop intelligence-based analytical tools and modernize its working methods to accelerate the processing of investigations.

Regarding the incident involving the former FCC commissioner, it clearly shows that no one is above the law. The FCC will always act with the same rigor whenever circumstances require it. It will do so in strict adherence to transparency, fairness, and the principle of impartiality. We work for the people.