PG: Will not review ex-PG's decisions at own initiation; complaint needs to be filed

Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef states there are no plans to review decisions made by his predecessor Hussain Shameem’s despite his dismissal by the Parliament after taking note of several improper decisions.

Abbas was appointed Prosecutor General on September 18^th as Shameem’s replacement who was dismissed in a no-confidence vote on August 22^nd at the face of huge allegations against him.

Speaking at the first press conference since his appointment, Abbas underscored receiving a significant number of complaints in various forms since assuming office.

In light of this, the Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office), on Tuesday, has opened the opportunity to submit complaints against the office, with a deadline set at October 20^th. Abbas said complaints can be submitted by visiting any branch of the PG Office and through the Office’s official website.

However, he stressed that no such cases will be reviewed, nor the decisions will be amended at own initiation.

“Even as I say this, I know the Parliament addressed some cases. That it had been the reason behind their decision to dismiss the former Prosecutor General. Nevertheless, I am not in the view of taking the lead to review them,” he said.

Nonetheless, Abbas emphasized that all complaints submitted within the 20-day window will be reviewed.

He detailed that the public will be explained why, if any amendment needs to be made to an earlier decision of the PG Office. In this regard, he added that the complainant will also be informed of such a change.

The motion against Shameem was submitted to the Parliament by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, a top politician from the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

The Judiciary Committee which reviewed the no-confidence motion voted in favor of ousting him, citing several improper decisions. Shameem had resigned from the post during the final floor debate on the no-confidence motion against him. However, the Parliament proceeded with the vote, which ultimately dismissed him, citing no receipt of his resignation letter to the President’s Office.

Some of the improper decisions highlighted during the no-confidence motion by ruling PNC lawmakers included the decision to file the sexual assault case against former tourism minister Ali Waheed and the decision not to pursue charges in the ventilator corruption case. His successor, Abbas, has affirmed that these cases will also be reviewed if a complaint is filed.