Parliament member Ms Jeehan Mahmood’s suggestion to the constitutional amendments classifying Sexual abuse and rape as major felonies in the Criminal Procedure Code have been passed by the parliament yesterday with 59 votes in favour of it.

Along with sexual abuse crimes classification as major felonies, 11 more amendments suggested by the state to the Criminal Procedure Code have been passed by the Judiciary Committee of the Parliament

Making a total of 12 offenses classified as major felonies. These included;

Murder

Rape

Sexual Abuse to Children

Terrorism

Money Laundering and finances to Terrorism crimes

Trafficking

Drug Trafficking

Crimes involving more than 100,000 MVR

Tax avoidance crime

Corruption

Crimes involvement with bribes

During yesterday's parliament sitting, a lot of changes to the offenses specified as serious crimes were brought in. These changes brought in more power in investigation of such crimes through the Criminal Procedure Code.