Allegations of 'Child Ill-Treatment': Mufti Azhar Peerbocus Remains in Custody Until May 4

Mufti Azhar Peerbocus appeared again before the Flacq court on Monday, April 27. Following this second appearance, he was returned to the police cell at the Moka Detention Centre, where he will remain in provisional detention until May 4.

The religious leader currently faces seven provisional charges of 'child ill-treatment'. These charges stem from multiple complaints filed by students of the Twaha Academy Boarding School, located in Bel-Air, where he served as a teacher and Acting Principal at the time of the alleged incidents.

A key element of the investigation relies on the testimony of a teacher from the institution, who formally identified the mufti as the individual who allegedly slapped two students.

Arrested upon his arrival from South Africa at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, Azhar Peerbocus has been in custody since April 18. He had left Mauritian territory on April 1, shortly after the first complaint was filed.

Since the emergence of this case on March 30, he has been dismissed from his positions. During his first appearance at the Weekend Court on Sunday, April 19, three provisional charges were brought against him. The police opposed his release, resulting in his continued detention.