A three-judge bench ruled that the police had given false information during the appeal against the remand of Ibrahim Ikram, the driver of the car involved in the July 31 accident in Hulhumale'.
Three suspects, including Ikram, were arrested in the case. They were taken to the Criminal Court for a decision on their remand and on August 1. The court ordered to remand them in custody for the duration of the trial.
However, Ikram's lawyer appealed to the High Court seeking to quash the Criminal Court's order. He argued that the police had acted in contravention to the Constitution.
At the hearing held yesterday, Judge Mohamed Faisal, who presided over the bench, said the statements made by the police earlier in the trial did not match those made by the appellant.
"As I recall, the defendant [Ikram] replied that he had requested [for a lawyer]. But a lawyer was not appointed by the time of the remand hearing. That is why we continued," police told the court.
Sub-Inspector of Police Ahmed Zail represented the police at the hearing held on August 21.
However, Ikram's lawyer told the High Court that the Criminal Court judge had not mentioned anything about a lawyer during the remand hearing.
Ibrahim Ikram at the hearing.
After listening to the recording of the arguments during the remand hearing, the judge noted that neither the judges nor any other party present had made any mention of the right to an attorney.
"Since the information given by the Maldives Police Service in the High Court proceedings is false, the court believes this matter should be investigated and action must be taken," Judge Faisal said in his opinion.
No agency has launched an investigation into the matter yet. Making false statements during hearings is considered contempt of court and is punishable by imprisonment of not more than three months or house arrest.
Meanwhile, Ikram was freed after the High Court quashed the Criminal Court's order.
But Home Minister Ali Ihusan said the case would be investigated to check for police negligence and action would be taken to arrest him under a court order.
Ikram was arrested four hours later, the minister said.
The accident happened near the Vinares Flats when Ikram's car lost control and hit a man parked on the side of the road.
The man on the motorcycle sustained serious injuries in the accident and was treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
