Re-arrested drug suspects released again

Hulhumale’ Court has released two drug suspects who were arrested and released on Tuesday and re-arrested on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old man and 52-year-old woman were first arrested on Tuesday at 3:10am, in a court-ordered raid at a house in Hulhumalé.

While police had confiscated three kilogram of suspected narcotics in the operation, Criminal Court had released the suspects upon being presented for a remand hearing.

Faisal Adam, media official at the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA), told RaajjeMV that that Hulhumalé Court orders violated Articles 32 (a) and 41 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Article 32 (a) states that the signature of the judge authorizing a raid must be on an order, as well as the court stamp. Article 41 (b) states that the signature of the judge authorizing an arrest must be on an order, as well as the court stamp.

The Criminal Court stated that both orders lacked the required signature and stamp.

They were arrested again on Wednesday and taken to the Hulhumale’ Court, which stated that the police had violated Article 8(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The article states that if anyone other than the investigative officer is to arrive at the court, a letter from the relevant authority should also be sent to court with the officer.

Media official Faisal said that the replacement officer who went to Hulhumale’ Court did not have a letter or any similar document.