Heavier penalties for abuse of office

Heavy penalties have come into effect from today for offences like abuse of office, bribery and theft under the Crimes Decree.

Under the Penal Code which has been repealed, the maximum penalty for abuse of office was three years imprisonment.

However, under Section 139 of the Crimes Decree, a person commits an indictable offence which is triable if, being employed in the public service, the person does or directs to be done, in abuse of the authority of his office, any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of another.

The penalty for this is ten years imprisonment.

The Decree also states that if the act of abuse of office is done or directed to be done for gain, then the penalty is 17 years imprisonment.

Heavy penalties have also been included for people giving or receiving bribes.

People who bribe and attempt to bribe a public official faces ten years in prison. A public official found guilty of receiving a bribe or asking for a bribe can be sentenced to ten years imprisonment.

Theft offences have also been clearly detailed. Under the Crime Decree, a person commits an offence if he or she dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of the property. The person found guilty of theft face the maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.

Legal consultant and former High Court Judge, Nazhat Shameem said the changes in the Crimes Decree were already discussed in 2005.

She said law reform is needed with the changing world we live in.