Maldives SC warns of action on media for propagating 'false' news stories

Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a strong warning on the media and individuals found to be propagating 'false stories and narratives' about the court and its decisions.

A statement released by the court stated that its justices are fully authorized to hold proceedings with a bench of three.

This, the statement said, was applicable when the bench was a seven-member one. This is specified in the Judicature act of October 2010, which states that the bench must be composed of an odd number of Justices, with five being the least, in the case were a full bench is of seven Justices.

Supreme Court added that a full bench had to be convened for cases submitted under clause 113 of the Constitution, as per clause six (b) of the law on courts.

The court had warned that given this, there was no room to determine that the session had progressed against rules and procedures, warning of action if news outlets and other sources if they continue to claim the session was unconstitutional.