The sentence for those found guilty of contempt of court has been increased.
The duration of the prison sentence for those found guilty of contempt of court was increased under the fourth amendment to the Courts Act. The amendment to the Act was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday.
As per the amendment to the law, the punishment for contempt of court is imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or house arrest.
The previous penalty under the Act was imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days. or a fine not exceeding MVR 10,000.
Leaving the courtroom without the permission of the judge and speaking and acting outside the courtroom system are considered acts of contempt of court. Disobedience to orders made in the court is also considered contempt of the court.
