All cases forwarded within given period in new Criminal Procedure Act: PG
The Criminal Procedure Act of the Maldives came into effect on July 2
The Criminal Procedure Act of the Maldives came into effect on July 2
The Prosecutor General (PG) Office has said that all the cases filed there have been concluded and forwarded to the police, within the given time period under the newly implemented Criminal Procedure Act.
According to Article 95 of the Criminal Procedure Act, the Office has a 30-day period to press charges against suspects and commence hearings, following their arrest, while it has 45 days to conclude the cases of the suspects released from custody.
While the 30-day period expired on August 1, on Monday PG Office's media official said that all the cases have been forwarded for prosecution.
The Criminal Procedure Act specifies the rules for arrest, investigation and prosecution.
The Bill was passed by Parliament in April 2016, with President Abdulla ratifying it on May 2, 2016.
Allowing time to train law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges, the Criminal Procedure Act was set to come into effect on 7th January 2017. However, an amendment seeking to delay its enforcement, to give more time to train officials, was passed by Parliament on 21st November 2016.
The Criminal Procedure Act allows "investigative procedure regarding those accused to be carried out effectively and efficiently with less hindrances to the rights of the person", with some legal experts calling the Act, 'a much-needed change'.
