Criminal Court and Drug Court are set to receive 17 dedicated courtrooms in the new Justice Building Annex in Hulhumale', the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) said.

According to a senior DJA official, the Criminal Court which is soon to be relocated to the former Covid-19 hospital building opposite Tree Top Hospital will have 12 courtrooms, while the Drug Court will operate in five additional rooms.

“This will be a huge relief,” the official said.

“In addition to increasing the number of courtrooms, the space will be more comfortable and better equipped, offering convenience for both judges and staff.”

DJA said the longstanding complaint of limited courtroom availability will be resolved for the time being with the opening of the new facility. The annex is expected to be operational later this month, with final works being completed by Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

The Criminal Court being one of the busiest courts in the country, has struggled with space and infrastructure issues for a long period of time. Its former location in the old STO building in Male' was deemed structurally unfit, often disrupting court operations and forcing judges and staff to work under challenging conditions.

The decision to temporarily move the court to the Covid hospital was taken earlier due to space constraints, but was later upgraded into a full relocation and renovation plan for the building.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to construct a new superior judicial complex in Hulhumale' this year, as part of efforts to alleviate long standing limitations in the country’s court infrastructure.