Saturday, August 24, 2013

Detectives seize computers after raid on Kamlesh Pattni offices

  

PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA Detectives at the entrance of Mr Kamlesh Pattni’s offices in Westlands, Nairobi, during a search of the businessman’s premises on August 24, 2013. One person was arrested. NATION MEDIA GROUP
 

By ZADOCK ANGIRA
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In Summary

• The officers had requested for, and obtained a search warrant from the court before they raided the premises
• Some of the detectives told Sunday Nation that they were looking for some people who are suspected to be in the country illegally

Kamlesh Pattni

Police on Saturday raided the offices and residence of controversial billionaire businessman Kamlesh Pattni and took away documents and computers.

 

The detectives from the Flying Squad and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations first raided his offices along Westlands Lane at around 8am before they moved to his residence in Kitisuru.

The officers had requested for, and obtained a search warrant from the court before they raided the premises. One person was arrested during the operation.

 

However, information had leaked as police sought warrants to enter the premises. When the detectives first sought a search warrant, they presented an unsworn affidavit which was unacceptable.

The officers arrived at the office and ordered everyone out before they searched the rooms. They took away some documents, six computers, a mobile phone, and flash disks after the five-hour operation conducted by about 10 officers.

 

ILLEGALLY HERE
It was not clear what they were looking for. However, some of the detectives told Sunday Nation that they were looking for some people who are suspected to be in the country illegally.

 

One of them is suspected to be dealing with vehicles stolen from the UK and sold to unsuspecting Kenyans. The raid comes barely a month after Mr Pattni was forcefully evicted from the duty-free shops at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) management.

 

Though KAA has maintained this was done on expiry of a lease agreement, Mr Pattni has insisted that his rights were violated and that he would seek legal redress. He had obtained a court order barring the move.

 

The businessman later took KAA to court for his removal from the multi-million shilling shops and the matter is yet to be concluded. A few days after Mr Pattni’s companies were ejected from the airport, fire gutted the JKIA’s international arrivals terminal, destroying property belonging to KAA, Kenya Airways, and the Immigration department.

 

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Preliminary reports have, however, placed the blame on the KAA for incompetence, negligence, and failure to acquire the right fire fighting equipment.