Crime Prevention Bill sent back to committee

The special Crime Prevention Bill with the ‘sunset clause’ drafted by the government to reduce and prevent the escalating organised crime, gang violence and assault has been sent back to the committee for further evaluation.

In last night’s special session of the Peoples’ Majlis, members of the Majlis presented nearly hundred amendments to this Crime Prevention Bill. Some members therefore proposed to pass the Bill with the amendments.

The members who favoured to pass the Bill argued that the members have already been given enough opportunities to present amendments to the Bill and if further amendments are presented then the real purpose of the Bill will be lost.

Thoddoo member Ali Waheed proposed to send the Bill to the committee for further evaluation and Vilufushi member Riyaz Rasheed supported the proposal. 37 members voted in favour of the Bill while 33 members voted against it.

Meanwhile, the Crime Prevention Bill is believed to give the police special authorities in their pursuit to prevent crime from the country. From them are the authority to search houses without a court warrant, suspend the right to remain silent from those alleged with some criminal acts, and grants them the authority to keep the accused in custody for 90 hours without a court warrant.