The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has successfully concluded its ‘Bandhu Forum’, a platform that brings together all agencies in the criminal justice system—except the courts—to address issues related to non-bailable offences and pending trials.

According to the PG Office, the forum aimed to reform the criminal justice system to balance the rights of both the accused and the community while improving rules and procedures surrounding detention conditions. The discussions focused on identifying challenges faced by different agencies in handling detainees awaiting trial and exploring alternative measures instead of prolonged detention. It also involved revising legal frameworks to support these alternatives and assessing law enforcement readiness for implementing monitoring mechanisms.

The use of video conferencing for trials and legal amendments to facilitate this process were also key discussion points. Additionally, the forum addressed improving conditions in custodial jails for those requiring remand.

A key decision made during the forum was the establishment of an information-sharing system between Maldives Immigration and the PGO regarding foreigners detained at the end of trials. Furthermore, discussions were held on streamlining cooperation between the Maldives Police Service and Maldives Correctional Service to manage detainees more efficiently.

This initiative marks a step toward a more effective and fair criminal justice system in the Maldives.