Supreme Court again orders Criminal Court to accept cases filed by PG Office

Supreme Court has once again ordered Criminal Court to accept cases filed by the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office.

In today’s order, signed by Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain, Supreme Court ordered Criminal Court to proceed with ongoing cases as well as extension of detention period cases as per normal.

Earlier, Criminal Court held sessions to extend suspects’ detention periods in the evenings after official working hours, but the court has cited lack of funds to pay overtime and now processes these cases during official working hours.

Supreme Court's first order regarding accepting cases filed by PG Office was issued on 6 January, wherein it ordered Criminal Court and other courts that have the jurisdiction to process criminal cases to, despite the lack of a PG, process cases filed by the PG Office without delay.

Prosecutor General Ahmed Muizzu resigned on 25 November last year, moments before an opposition majority parliament was to take a vote of no confidence against him.

President Yameen has nominated Maumoon Hameed as the new Prosecutor General, for approval by the parliament.