The judicial system, which was promised to be independent, remains firmly under the government's control.
Despite President Muizzu assuming office with a pledge to ensure judicial independence, the judiciary currently appears to be under significant government influence. Public concern is mounting over allegations that the courts have fallen under the control of senior administration officials and ministers, leading many to claim that the judicial system—once promised freedom—is now firmly within the government's grip.
Many allege that the current administration exerts influence over the judiciary in various ways. | Raajje MV
A photograph recently circulated on social media shows the Chief Justice of the Maldives, Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, sharing a lighthearted moment surrounded by several ministers from President Muizzu’s cabinet. The three ministers featured are prominent figures who play leading roles in the political activities of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). The image has sparked widespread debate across social media platforms, with many members of the public expressing their opinions. Numerous observers have voiced deep concerns regarding the current state and independence of the Maldivian judiciary in light of such interactions.
President Muizzu assumed office with a pledge to liberate the judiciary from all forms of influence. Throughout his presidential campaign, the independence of the judicial system remained one of his most frequently cited promises. During his inauguration speech on November 17, 2023, President Muizzu declared that political interference in the judiciary had come to an end effective that day. However, as his administration approaches its second year, a starkly different reality has emerged. Critics and observers now increasingly contend that the President has firmly tightened his grip on the judicial branch, exerting significant control over its operations.
Public sentiment suggests that the Maldivian judicial system has regressed by decades. In recent history, no administration has exerted as much influence over the judiciary as the current government. It appears as though judges in the courts feel that delivering a verdict contrary to the government's wishes is akin to tightening a noose around their own necks. With all power consolidated in its hands, the administration continues to signal that it will operate solely on its own terms. Senior government officials are now brazenly committing offenses with the absolute certainty that the long arm of the law, currently rendered powerless, will never reach them.
The Maldivian judiciary has effectively become a puppet of the state, dancing to the tune of influential pro-government parliamentarians, cabinet ministers, and other political appointees. Public sentiment suggests that the integrity of the courts has been severely compromised, with legal frameworks being manipulated to ensure that judges cannot act—or even breathe—contrary to the will of President Muizzu.
The circulating photograph of the Chief Justice vividly illustrates the current state of the Maldivian judiciary. Surrounded by cabinet ministers, the image signifies that the judicial branch is no longer capable of making a single move contrary to the government's will. It serves as a stark reminder that the judicial system, which was promised independence, now remains entirely captive within the lap of the administration.
