The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the appeal against the High Court's decision that police alone can investigate corruption cases without the involvement of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The High Court ruled that the police can investigate corruption cases without the involvement of the ACC in its decision to uphold the lower court's remand order of former Immigration Controller Shamaan Waheed. Shamaan appealed the High Court decision in the Supreme Court.
Shamaan is accused of corruption and money laundering. During the High Court appeal hearings, Justice Mohamed Niyaz stated that the police can investigate corruption offences without the involvement of the ACC if there is a money laundering allegation. The other two justices on the bench supported his view.
While the Supreme Court registrar rejected the appeal case, the Supreme Court and the High Court had previously ruled that the police cannot investigate a case without the participation of other agencies if it falls under their jurisdiction.
Shamaan was remanded in custody after being accused of influencing witnesses. However, at the appeal hearing, his lawyer said Shamaan has no reason to influence anyone and he does not know who testified against him.
In a post on social media, Shamaan's wife Hidhfa Faiz said her husband had been arrested "unjustly and framed." But Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan has denied these allegations.
Shamaan was detained on March 22, one day after his dismissal as Immigration Controller, for allegedly releasing a detained foreigner and extorting MVR 530,000 from him.
