A sudden shift in government strategy has halted a controversial residents protection bill, prompting the Supreme Court to allow the withdrawal of multiple legal challenges amid promises of a revised version.
The government has formally informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to change its position on the proposed residents protection bill and review its contents before moving forward.
Appearing before the court, the Attorney General stated that the government is now ready to reconsider the bill in its current form. This position was further clarified when the Additional Solicitor General told the bench that the Minister of Justice is expected to present a revised version of the legislation to Parliament in the coming period.
Senior members of the legal community welcomed the development. The Bar Council, including President’s Counsel Faizer Musthapa, informed the court that in light of the government’s decision to withdraw and review the bill, there was no longer a need for the Supreme Court to proceed with examining the six fundamental rights petitions filed against it.
Taking note of these submissions, the Supreme Court granted permission for the petitioners to withdraw all six cases.
The move marks a pause in the legislative process and signals renewed consultation on a bill that had drawn significant legal and public scrutiny.
