Parliamentary committee recommends suspension of police chief

Parliament’s Finance Committee on Wednesday approved a recommendation to the President to suspend several senior police officers, including Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen.

The decision was taken during a closed-door meeting of the committee. Members agreed to recommend suspension due to the officers’ alleged involvement in fraud cases linked to the police-owned business entity, POLCO.

The Finance Committee is currently examining allegations of improper benefits granted to contractors or individuals in relation to the police housing project undertaken by POLCO.

An audit report found that the project cost MVR 1 billion and highlighted suspected fraud committed over an 11-year period. The report also recommended that POLCO’s board members and former executives be held accountable for decisions and contracts issued under the project.

The committee decided to recommend the suspension of Commissioner Naveen and other officers after reviewing additional information received in connection with the POLCO investigation.