Dev Jokhoo Denies Any Involvement in Contract Awarded to Bassoo Seetaram

Former prison commissioner Dev Jokhoo denies any responsibility for the allocation of a controversial contract to Bassoo Seetaram. In a statement to the press after his hearing before the Board of Inquiry investigating the death of Andy Selmour at Melrose Prison, he claims he played no role in this process, attributing it entirely to the competent authorities.

"I have nothing to do with Bassoo Seetaram," he insists. He recalls that the contract in question dates back to the end of 2024, shortly after the current government took office in November. He specifies that it was the authorities of the current government who awarded a one-year contract for the supply of fish, which will expire in December 2025, to Bassoo Seetaram.

On the substance of the issue, the former commissioner defends the regularity of the procedure, stating that it was conducted in strict compliance with legal frameworks. His role, he asserts, was limited to an administrative formality. "I issued a letter of intent, I informed them that he was the successful bidder."

For Dev Jokhoo, his resignation cannot be justified by a matter in which he claims to have played no decision-making role.