Criminal trials starting at Hulhumale building
Many, including Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, have expressed concern that criminal trials have come to a complete halt.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
After nearly ceasing operations at its dilapidated building in Male, the Criminal Court will now hold proceedings at the Civil Court building in Hulhumale starting this Sunday.
The Criminal Court announced this in an X post on Saturday:
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The three courtrooms in the building will accommodate six sections of the Criminal Court; the sections are B2, B3, B5, B8, B10, and B11
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Three trial halls have been vacated from the court building in Male due to the temporary change; therefore, a total of six halls are available for the trials
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The trials will be held in six halls divided among 11 judges; priority will be given to older cases and those in custody pending trial
In February last year, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had ordered that a portion of the court building should not be used due to the condition of the building in Male. Since then, court proceedings have been conducted in a single trial hall due to water leaking into the court building and affecting the electricity system.
Many, including Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, have expressed concern that criminal trials have come to a complete halt.
In order to address these concerns, this government has already said it is trying to move the court to another building in Hulhumale during Ramadan.
