Fourth person charged in Michaela Harte murder

A fourth man was arrested on Tuesday in connection to Michaela Harte’s tragic murder in her honeymoon suite at the Legend’s Hotel. The four suspects will appear in court on Wednesday.

A police spokesperson said a security guard from the hotel was taken into custody at Port Louis. Dassen Narainen (26) will be charged in court and is also suspected of conspiracy to commit murder.

It’s alleged that he procured the electronic swipe card which was used to enter Michaela’s room. CCTV footage shows Narainen was on duty at the time of the murder. However he failed to show up for work in the days following the murder.

On, Monday, the day of Michaela Harte’s funeral one of Mauritius’ leading police officers announced that those charged with murder may not face trial for murder. He said that those suspected of strangling the 27-year-old newly wed may plead unlawful killing instead.

Michaela had returned to her hotel suite, at Legend’s Hotel in Mauritius, to get a biscuit for her tea. On entering the room she disturbed a burglary and was strangled and left dead in the bath. She had only been married for 12 days. Her husband found her in the bath minutes later.

Inspector Ranjit Jokhoo told Irish News that “we would like the charge to be murder, but it is likely to be reduced and that decision is out of our hands".

Last Monday Raj Theekoy and Abinash Treebhoowoon both confessed to their parts in the crime. The third man, Sandip Moneea, had made no confession and is yet to be questioned. He has also been charged with conspiracy to murder.

Investigating officers say the plan to investigate him this week. The police plan to record a statement and release it soon.

The families of all three men maintain that they are innocent.

Barrister Ravi Rutnah, who represents Treebhoowoon, one of the men charged with murder, plans to seek a full independent inquiry into the police investigation at their court appearance on Wednesday.

Rutnah says he has 21 separate issues which call the investigation in to question. He claims that a number of times he was not allowed to speak with his client.

In a letter to the Complaints Investigation Bureau he wrote “I am of the view that the inquiry is not being conducted in a professional manner and I urge upon you to investigate this incident as a matter of urgency."

The police deny any brutality of impropriety. Wednesday’s appearance in court will be procedural. The four men will appear in court on February 2 to seek bail.