No matter how big public interest, no criminal prosecution can be filed if there is no evidence, it’s clear law: PG

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has asserted that in cases where evidence is not available, no matter how big public interest is, no criminal case can be filed against a person and that is clear in the law.

Shameem said this while speaking to RaajjeMV about the no-confidence motion filed against him at the People’s Majlis.

The PG’s decision to not pursue charges in the ventilator corruption case was one of the many reason cited in the no-confidence motion.

Responding to this, Shameem said that the decision not to file a chargesheet in the case was taken after taking into account all the factors that need to be looked into to decide on criminal proceedings in the case.

Therefore, Shameem said that while as a common citizen it is a matter of concern that no charges have been filed in the case and property was not provided in lieu of the money released by the state, it is not known to the legal system to prosecute people solely based on “concern”.

Shameem further said that a criminal case can be filed against a person only if there is sufficient evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt all the possibilities of an offence mentioned in a criminal law.

The PG added that no criminal case could be filed in the case of ventilators as the investigation did not observe sufficient amount of evidence against any of the accused.

Highlighting that anything that does not happen within the state and in the society cannot be prosecuted for a criminal offence, Shameem stated that evidence would be required to file a criminal case against a person and that it is what the law clarifies.

The PG also claimed that he is acting in accordance with the norms laid down in the laws passed by the People’s Majlis.

Shameem also stated that he wants the parliament to clarify what was left unaddressed in his decision not to file a chargesheet in the ventilator case.