Police have today confirmed that there are no further investigations in relation to the 2000/2001 Agriculture Ministry scam.

Spokesperson Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said their last investigation file was in relation to Suncourt Hardware Director Dhansukh Lal Bhika and former Principal Accounts Officer at the Agriculture Ministry Suliasi Sorovakatini, who were handed down prison sentences last week.

Sokomuri said police will only investigate other people if new evidence is forwarded to them.

The Farming Assistance Scheme amounted to more than $16 million and several allegations continue to be made that it was a vote buying scam and a couple of individuals benefitted from the scheme in 2001.

Last week High Court Judge Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja said Sorovakatini’s defense counsel submitted in the trial that the 2001 programme was a vote buying scam by the political authorities of the day.

Justice Thurairaja said Sorovakatini alleged in court that the then Minister Apisai Tora and Assistant Minister Marieta Rigamoto unduly benefitted out of the programme.

He said that since there is evidence before the court, the DPP and other relevant authorities may take the matter further.

But he said it should be mentioned that Sorovakatini had not revealed these facts to the police during the investigation.

Questions have been sent to the DPP’s Office.

We are yet to receive a response.


Story by: Vijay Narayan