MDP Proposes Amendment to Allow Police to Freeze Bank Accounts Without Court Warrant

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has today submitted an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which seeks to empower the police to freeze bank accounts in scam cases without requiring a court warrant.

The bill, introduced by Mohamed Ibrahim, the MDP parliament member for North-Galolhu, during Monday’s sitting, responds to a request made by the Maldives Police Service at the Independent Institutions Committee meeting on July 31. During that meeting, the police sought a legal reform to enhance their capacity to combat scam activities.

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The amendment proposes changes to Article 73(a) of the Act, which currently mandates a court warrant for freezing bank accounts suspected of involvement in criminal activities. Under the new proposal, police officers of sub-inspector rank or higher would be authorised to freeze accounts and halt transactions related to suspected scams without a court warrant.

Additionally, the amendment would allow police to promptly notify the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) and the relevant commercial bank to implement account freezes.