Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says it is somewhat oddly that a closed matter has been rekindled and he was summoned for an interview by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) last Friday.
This is case alleging his involvement in the bombing of Veronica Malani’s house in 1987.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions closed the investigations in 2021.
A statement was issued by the ODPP highlighting that: “There is insufficient and unreliable evidence to support any criminal cases to be laid after the Attorney-General (Sayed-Khaiyum) and therefore, the police docket has been returned to Police with instructions not to charge him and that no action is required.”
Sayed-Khaiyum in a video statement highlighted that the closed file was sent to ODPP for vetting on 15 January and was received by CID to conduct investigations and interviews and send it back no later than 24 March 2024 (yesterday).
He said CID received the file on March 18, two months after it was sent to ODPP.
Sayed-Khaiyum claims due process is not being followed and says double standards are shown by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in not charging high-level officials in the Coalition Government.
In particular, he pointed at the case of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad filed by former NFP member Hiroshi Taniguchi.
“For example, the DPP had decided not to charge Professor Biman Prasad. Will they re-open that file again? What criteria are being followed,” he asked.
In 2021, Malani filed for a judicial review of the ODPP’s action not to pursue the case, however, it was denied by the High Court.
Malani then appealed the decision of the High Court which is being adjudicated by the Court of Appeal.
