Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has criticised the decision of the High Court to neglect secret witnesses citing Criminal Procedure Act.
Speaking at a news conference held at Prosecutor General's Office, Prosecutor General Shameem said Criminal Procedure Act explains clear procedures to take secret witnesses and the decision of High Court is incorrect. Shameem stated the Criminal Procedure Act clearly indicates situations in which temporary witness protection and permanent witness protection verdicts can be issued. He further criticised the judge for reading the last clause in the act and said the situation could have been avoided should the judge read the entire act.
The prosecutor general has since appealed the decision at the Supreme Court and said the issue needs to be sorted as soon as possible, as it relates to the entire legal system. He further said ongoing court cases have also been affected due to the verdict.
During the court hearings against former Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed over obstruction of justice, the Criminal Court decided secret witness testimonies breached Criminal Procedure Act. The decision from High Court read there were no specified ways to protect those providing testimonies in the laws.
Laws related to evidence in the country only state such testimonies are to be taken in a prescribed manner to that protects witnesses. The High Court ruled there was no legal course of action to be taken in the testimonies of secret witnesses stated in the law.