The High Court has decided not to accept a case filed seeking a review of the suspension of Supreme Court justices, which was done citing an ongoing investigation into a corruption case.
The case was filed with the High Court by Ibrahim Ismail, who was the chairman of the committee that drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives when it was being formulated. The case was filed due to the sudden suspension of three Supreme Court judges, which hindered the full functioning of the Supreme Court. The High Court has not disclosed the reason for rejecting the case. However, the court's website has publicly shared that the case has been rejected.
Justice Husnu Al Suood, Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, and Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir were suddenly suspended simultaneously, halting the operations of the Supreme Court on 26 February 2025.
Ibrahim Ismail has stated that the decision by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is unconstitutional, and that no institution or organization has the authority to halt the Supreme Court.
In an interview given to RaajjeMV regarding the case he filed with the High Court, he said that influencing the work of judges is prohibited by the Constitution and that the Supreme Court upholds the country's constitution. He also stated that halting the Supreme Court means halting the constitutional system.
Further, he said that suspending judges while an important constitutional case is being heard raises significant questions. He also stated that the judiciary cannot be isolated and paralyzed, and that this is the most delicate situation a country can face.