A Cypriot national based in Switzerland, Radhika, claims Mukesh stole a gold bangle, an emerald ring, a Chaumet wristwatch and a diamond bracelet. She valued the missing property at over $150,000.
Arusha. The High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, has directed the Ilala Regional Crimes Officer (RCO) to resume and complete investigations into theft allegations involving valuables worth more than $150,000, lodged by businesswoman Radhika Pankanj against her former employee, Mukesh Menaria.
Delivering the ruling on August 25, Judge Hamidu Mwanga ordered the RCO to take all lawful measures to ensure the probe is finalised and that Mukesh, who allegedly fled abroad, is returned to Tanzania.
A Cypriot national based in Switzerland, Radhika, claims Mukesh stole a gold bangle, an emerald ring, a Chaumet wristwatch and a diamond bracelet. She valued the missing property at over $150,000.
The decision followed her application against the Ilala RCO and the Attorney General, accusing police of failing to act on her complaint, registered under file reference CDS/IR/2104/2024.
Court records show Radhika runs businesses in London, Switzerland, Tanzania, India and Uganda through companies including Bing Enterprises Limited, PRO Industries PTE Limited and Vari Agro Tanzania Limited. Her interests cover agriculture, industry, international trade, mining and agro-processing.
She discovered the loss in August 2024. After internal inquiries, Mukesh allegedly admitted taking some items. A search of his property led to partial recovery, but valuables worth more than $150,000 were missing.
On September 30, 2024, she reported the matter to the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam. Later correspondence shows police confirmed Mukesh’s arrest in Kagera on October 4 and his transfer to Dar es Salaam for questioning.
Radhika alleged that despite assurances the suspect would remain in custody, he was released on bail and fled abroad. She argued this undermined the recovery of her property.
The Ilala RCO opposed the case, arguing that Radhika and Mukesh had reached a settlement which included dropping the theft claims.
He added that police pursued the matter but found no evidence, hence Mukesh was released on bail. The RCO further said Mukesh had not absconded but was handed over to Interpol Uganda as a victim of human trafficking.
However, Judge Mwanga faulted the handling of the case, noting delays, lack of evidence that the file was ever sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, and no proof of Mukesh’s handover to Ugandan authorities.
“The failure amounts to a breach of due process and denial of justice, as the applicant had the right to be informed of the outcome of the investigation,” he said.
The court ordered the Ilala RCO to resume and complete investigations, take steps to bring Mukesh back to Tanzania, and within 30 days provide Radhika or her lawyer with a written update on progress and recovery efforts.
