After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Hussain Faiz Rashad scheduled a hearing for tomorrow to decide on Lamha's remand.
Haleemath Lamha, accused in the murder case of Filipino nurse Mary Grace, has once again requested to be released on bail from state custody at the Criminal Court today.
Mary's husband, Marvin S. Y. Vargas, and Haleemath Lamha, who were both nurses at the same hospital are charged with the murder of Mary in October 2021. While Marvin faces charges of murder with intent, Lamha is accused of being an accomplice.
Lamha was granted conditional bail by the Criminal Court late last year after being held in custody for an extended period.
The state appealed the decision to the High Court, which ruled that Lamha's release was incorrect and ordered her to be remanded in custody. Lamha, who remains remanded pending the outcome of the trial, had her bail reviewed by the Criminal Court last month.
During today's hearing, Lamha's lawyer, Ahmed Yameen, argued that there was no reason to keep her in custody and that her prolonged detention violated her rights.
Yameen acknowledged that the High Court had previously ordered remand pending trial while testimonies were being collected, and he believed that hearings would no longer face delays.
However, he highlighted that hearings in the lower court had been mishandled, resulting in delays in the testimony collection process.
The lawyer requested that Lamha’s custody be eased, asserting that her rights were being infringed upon.
The state, however, opposed Lamha's release, citing concerns about potential risks to community safety. The state emphasized the seriousness of the crime she is accused of and her alleged role in aiding the offense.
The state also rejected the option of placing Lamha under house arrest.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Hussain Faiz Rashad scheduled a hearing for tomorrow to decide on Lamha's remand.
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