President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has officially inaugurated the Criminal Court and Drug Court at the Justice Building Annex in Hulhumalé today.
The relocation of these courts to the new facility is part of the Government’s efforts to address longstanding space constraints and operational challenges within the criminal justice system.
A key issue faced by the judiciary has been the frequent postponement of hearings and delays in delivering verdicts, largely due to the lack of adequate courtroom space. To mitigate these challenges prior to the construction of the new Superior Court Complex in Hulhumalé, the Justice Building Annex was developed to accommodate the Criminal Court and the Drug Court, both of which previously operated in Malé.
The newly inaugurated facility includes ten courtrooms for the Criminal Court and five for the Drug Court. It also features 17 rooms allocated for judges, in addition to dedicated spaces for defence lawyers and public prosecutors. The building, developed under a project overseen by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), offers improved infrastructure and spacious courtrooms to support the efficient conduct of judicial proceedings and related functions.
In his Presidential Address earlier this year, President Dr Muizzu announced that the construction of the Superior Court Complex in Hulhumalé would commence this year to resolve the persistent shortage of court space. He further noted that, until the completion of the complex, it would remain necessary for the Criminal Court and Drug Court to operate from a purpose-built and spacious facility. The President affirmed that all necessary arrangements would be completed to ensure the full functionality of both courts in Hulhumalé by August 2025.
In his address, the President also expressed hope that this initiative would help unearth cases that have remained unreported and enable the delivery of justice to a greater number of individuals in prolonged pre-trial detention, highlighting its potential to significantly contribute towards achieving a long-term solution to this issue.
During today’s inauguration ceremony, a commemorative plaque was presented to the President in appreciation of his continued support for strengthening the judiciary. The national flag and the judicial flag were also ceremoniously hoisted at the newly inaugurated Justice Building Annex. The event was attended by senior Government officials and members of the judiciary.