DPP Withdraws Constitutional Complaint Against the State Over FCC Act

Me Rashid Ahmine, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has officially withdrawn his constitutional complaint against the state during a court hearing on Monday, 17 February 2025, presided over by Chief Justice Bibi Rehana Mungly-Gulbul. This pivotal move comes as the DPP’s powers have been restored in anticipation of the imminent repeal of the Financial Crimes Commission Act 2023 (FCC Act).

The formal announcement of the withdrawal was made by the DPP’s attorney, Me Vijay Kumar Dwarka, before the Supreme Court.

He recounted the DPP’s original concerns, stating that the action had been initiated on 20 March 2024, following the controversial adoption of the FCC Act.

The DPP had argued that this legislation undermined his powers as delineated in Articles 1 and 72 of the Constitution.

“I took this action to safeguard my constitutional authority and to uphold the rule of law,” the DPP asserted, underscoring the gravity of his fight.

Adding to the narrative, the DPP noted the government’s subsequent passage of the Financial Crimes Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 on 7 February 2025, which serves to restore his powers pertaining to financial crimes.

While the DPP acknowledged that some issues raised by his complaint still linger, he expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to repeal the contentious law.

In a move towards reconciliation, the FCC Act will soon be replaced by a newly established agency, with the DPP’s office being consulted to enhance the criminal justice system and ensure adherence to the rule of law.

With these “reassuring developments” in mind, the DPP concluded that the ongoing litigation had lost its “justification” and has thus formally requested the withdrawal of his complaint.

The DPP was ably represented by a distinguished panel of legal minds, including Mes Sanjay Bhuckory Senior Counsel, Narghis Bundhun Senior Counsel, Vimalen Reddi, Amira Peeroo, and Sanjana Bhuckory, who collectively navigated this complex legal terrain with grace and resolve.

This resolution marks a noteworthy chapter in the ongoing dialogue between the state’s institutions and the preservation of constitutional rights, reinvigorating hopes for a more robust legal framework in the fight against financial crimes.

Source: Defi Media