Ex parte The Attorney General (XP 5 of 2023) [2023] SCSC 192 (10 March 2023)

Ex parte The Attorney General (XP 5 of 2023) [2023] SCSC 192 (10 March 2023)

The affidavit evidence establishes reasonable belief that Alberto Antat and Rodney Payet are dead, but their deaths cannot be formally proved or registered; thus, the statutory requirements for ordering an inquiry are satisfied.

Citation
[2023] SCSC 192
Parties
Applicant: Applicant; Subject of Inquiry: Alberto Antat; Subject of Inquiry: Rodney Payet
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Seychelles
Judgment Date
10 March 2023
Case Number
XP 5 of 2023
Procedural Posture
Petition Under Presumption of Death Act / Ruling on Application for Inquiry
Outcome
Application allowed
Legal Topics
Presumption of Death, Missing Persons, Judicial Inquiry
Source Language
English

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Parties

Applicant

Applicant

Alberto Antat

Subject of Inquiry

Rodney Payet

Subject of Inquiry

Procedural Posture

Petition Under Presumption of Death Act / Ruling on Application for Inquiry

  1. 1 Whether sufficient grounds exist to order an inquiry into the presumed deaths of Alberto Antat and Rodney Payet

Ratio Decidendi

The affidavit evidence establishes reasonable belief that Alberto Antat and Rodney Payet are dead, but their deaths cannot be formally proved or registered; thus, the statutory requirements for ordering an inquiry are satisfied.

Court Disposition

Application allowed

Orders

  • A Magistrate (approved by the Minister) is ordered to hold a public inquiry into the circumstances under which Alberto Antat and Rodney Payet disappeared.
  • The Magistrate is directed to summon the Commissioner of Police and any other relevant witnesses to produce evidence.