Varma Case , Bala Kamatchi: " Question of Money Was Not Mentioned"

Bala Kamatchi, former head of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) now retired, was heard by the Central CID Thursday as part of the investigation into the  Varma case. At first, Mario Jeannot had requested his services he organized a meeting between the two parties in order to facilitate the negotiations. The father Florent Jeannot even mentioned the name of the former high ranking police officer in his testimony. Ditto for Maurice Allet who argued that it is Bala Kamatchi which should have led the negotiations, but Mario Jeannot cut short this option because, according to him, Bala Kamatchi wanted a percentage of the money from the compensation.

During his interrogation, the former head of the MCIT has refuted this claim, arguing that the money issue was not mentioned in his presence.

In his statement to the police two weeks ago, Mario Jeannot had said the former head of the MCIT has even offered his services when needed. However, nothing has transpired on the nature of these services would mention Bala Kamatchi.

Kamatchi had offered his services to Jeannot

Asked Thursday as part of the investigation into the Varma case, Bala Kamatchi, former head of the MCIT, told investigators that the Central CID was never about money in his presence.

The former high ranking police officer found himself involved in this story, following a meeting between Mario Jeannot and Maurice Allet June 4 near Montmartre church in which he was the question put 'on board' for negotiations between Yatin Varma and Jeannot.

According to the chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Mauritius (SIMDUT), Mario Jeannot would accelerate negotiations to conclude a 'deal' as soon as possible. But as the requested amount was quite substantial, discussions remained stalled. Hence the idea to enlist the help of the former boss of the MCIT. The latter would have even contacted the Johnny to ask if they needed his services. But the father Florent Jeannot would relented at the last moment when they learned that Bala Kamatchi demanded a share. It was then that Maurice Allet would have the green light to act as an intermediary between the two parties.