High Court ruled that Criminal Court had concluded the case of bribery against Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof was wrong, and that they should take the case again.
A bench comprising Judge Fathimath Faruheeza, Chief Judge Hathif Hilmy and Judge Ali Sameer ruled that the Criminal Court's verdict stating the case was not pursuable in as a civil case was incorrect. They further noted that the court had not taken any of the important evidence submitted by the state against Mahloof in this case as well.
High Court then overturned Criminal Court's ruling and orderedto re-open the trial.
Mahloof was accused of accepting a bribe of USD 33,000 (MVR 509,850) when he was a Parliament Member in the previous term, in exchange for his vote on the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill. The Criminal Court dismissed the case last month, citing lack of evidence of the extent to which the case can be pursued in civil terms.
As the money Mahloof received was bribery money was initially stated by former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, Malfoof's legal representatives claim that it cannot be considered in court as Adeeb is a convicted criminal as well.
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