The Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, effectively upholding a lower court decision to keep him in custody pending trial.
Shamaan was arrested in March over allegations of extorting more than MVR 500,000 from a foreign national following the individual’s release from immigration custody.
The Criminal Court initially remanded Shamaan for 15 days before ordering his detention until the conclusion of trial. This decision was later upheld unanimously by a three-judge bench at the High Court.
Shamaan subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the police investigation, arguing that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should have been involved. His lawyer claimed the procedure violated criminal law. However, both the High Court and the Supreme Court ruled there was no legal requirement for ACC involvement in such cases.
The High Court maintained that the police have the authority to independently investigate money laundering allegations, affirming the validity of the remand.
Shamaan was arrested in March over allegations of extorting more than MVR 500,000 from a foreign national following the individual’s release from immigration custody.
The Criminal Court initially remanded Shamaan for 15 days before ordering his detention until the conclusion of trial. This decision was later upheld unanimously by a three-judge bench at the High Court.
Shamaan subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the police investigation, arguing that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should have been involved. His lawyer claimed the procedure violated criminal law. However, both the High Court and the Supreme Court ruled there was no legal requirement for ACC involvement in such cases.
The High Court maintained that the police have the authority to independently investigate money laundering allegations, affirming the validity of the remand.
