From Amendment to Impeachment: A Chronology of Turmoil at the Supreme Court of the Maldives
This chronology outlines significant events related to the Supreme Court of the Maldives occurring during a time of substantial institutional turmoil. From November 2024 through mid-2025, the Supreme Court of the Maldives experienced constitutional disputes, changes in the bench composition, suspensions of Justices, impeachments, and new appointments.
November 2024
November 20, 2024; President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the sixth amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives. The amendment introduced strict anti-defection rules, allowing removal of parliamentarians who leave or are expelled from their parties. The public and the opposition criticized the amendment arguing that it undermines the independence of the MPs.
November 24, 2024; Former MP and prominent lawyer Uz. Ali Hussain filed a case at the Supreme Court of the Maldives, challenging the legality of the anti-defection provisions in the sixth amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives and requesting its annulment.
February 2025
February 17, 2025; the Supreme Court heard arguments in the Ali Hussain v. State case [2024/SC-C/02] . Days later, Parliament proposed a controversial amendment to the Judicature Act (Act no 22/2010) , seeking to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices from seven to five.
February 25, 2025; the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) suspended three sitting Justices—Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir, Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Justice Husnu Al Suood—amid pending investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The suspensions effectively stalled all scheduled Supreme Court hearings, deepening concerns of political interference.
March 2025
March 04, 2025; Justice Husnu Al Suood resigned from the bench in protest. In a public statement, he accused the administration of exerting undue influence on the judiciary to sway key decisions.
March 11, 2025; President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu returned the Fifth Amendment Bill to the Judicature Act (Act No. 22/2010) to the People’s Majlis for reconsideration, citing Article 91(a) of the Constitution.
March 19, 2025; To fill the vacant spot left by Justice Husnu Al Suood’s resignation, the Judicial Service Commission recommended Justice Hussain Shaheed, the Chief Justice of High Court of the Madives. His appointment was approved the same day by The People’s Majlis.
April 2025
April 07, 2025; President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu appointed Justice Hussain Shaheed as a member of the JSC in his capacity as a Supreme Court judge, excluding the Chief Justice.
May 2025
May 04, 2025; the Judicial Service Commission submitted its recommendation to the People’s Majlis to remove Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, following investigations and reports of judicial misconduct.
May 08, 2025; Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan submitted his letter of retirement to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), citing health reasons and his age
May 14, 2025; the People’s Majlis voted to remove Justices Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir from the Supreme Court bench. The vote passed with a majority of 68 in favor and 11 against.
Dr. Azmiralda Zahir described her dismissal as “an attack on the entire judiciary” and expressed hope that those responsible would one day be held to account. She also rejected all accusations as politically motivated and fabricated to influence the anti-defection case before her, stating she could provide documented proof for her claims
Uz. Mahaz Ali Zahir issued a statement on the same day, saying: “I am satisfied with the work done in the Supreme Court …I am happy to have reached this point without bowing to any influence from inside or outside the Supreme Court.
May 17, 2025; following the removal of the two justices on May 14, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) opened applications for the two Supreme Court vacancies. Twelve candidates, including High Court Chief Justice Mohamed Faisal and High Court Justice Mohamed Saleem, applied during this window
June 2025
June 03, 2025; after the interviews, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) decided to recommend High Court Justice Mohamed Saleem and former High Court Justice Abdulla Hameed as candidates for the Supreme Court .
June 11, 2025; the People’s Majlis unanimously approved the appointments of Judge Mohamed Saleem and Abdulla Hameed to the Supreme Court, filling the two vacant seats .
What began as a constitutional dispute over parliamentary defections spiraled into a full-scale institutional reckoning—reshaping the Supreme Court’s composition, testing the limits of judicial independence, and exposing deep tensions between the branches of government. As new justices take their seats, questions remain about how the Court will move forward—and whether it can regain the public trust it has so visibly lost.