Chief Justice Muthasim files for retirement
The Chief Justice had previously indicated his intention to step down, referencing his age and physical condition.
Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan has submitted his application to retire from the Supreme Court, citing health reasons.
The Chief Justice had previously indicated his intention to step down, referencing his age and physical condition.
Speaking earlier, he noted, “My voice is also very soft now... it is only appropriate that I will not be seen in this capacity in such a session.”
Muthasim was admitted to hospital in late December following complaints of stomach pain.
His application for retirement comes while the Supreme Court is dealing with the suspension of three justices and a stalled constitutional amendment case related to the loss of parliamentary seats following expulsion from political parties.
On 26 February, three judges were suspended as a hearing on an interim order regarding the amendment was about to begin. One of the judges, Husnu Suood, resigned on 4 March.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has also sent a letter to Parliament recommending the dismissal of Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir. The matter is under review by the Judiciary Committee.
The case in question requires a minimum of five justices to form a bench, as stipulated by the Courts Act. The composition of a bench changes when a justice resigns or is removed.
Justice Muthasim has previously served on the Supreme Court bench. With the adoption of the new constitution in 2008, he was appointed to the first permanent Supreme Court bench. He served from 10 August 2010 until he lost his post in 2014 following a legislative amendment reducing the number of justices. He was reappointed as Chief Justice on 8 December.
Muthasim's professional background includes serving as Director of the Legal Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2001. He was Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at the Maldives College of Higher Education from 2001 to 2005, and a partner at Clipper & Galleon Law Associates from 2005 to 2010.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Buckingham (1992) and a Master’s in Philosophy from the University of Glasgow (1994).
