Majlis passes bill to stall Criminal Procedure Act

People’s Majlis has passed the bill pushed by government to delay application of Criminal Procedure Act by six more months.

The bill was passed during this Monday’s sitting with 42 lawmakers voting to pass the bill, and 27 lawmakers voting to reject the bill.

The bill was submitted to Majlis on behalf of government by North Fuvahmulah MP Ali Shah.

Criminal Procedure Act was passed by People’s Majlis on April 18, and ratified by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on May 2.

It was due to take effect on January 2, 2017, but will now take effect on July 2, 2017.

MP Shah said that Criminal Procedure Act would bring great changes to the criminal justice system, and that the judiciary, law enforcing agencies and prosecutors needed more time to prepare and train for the change.