Nasheed defends Chief Justice Muthasim amid heavy criticism

Former president Mohamed Nasheed has voiced out praise for Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim who is currently under heavy criticism.

Muthasim’s silence when three Supreme Court justices were suspended and when two of them were later dismissed in a parliamentary vote has been heavily criticized by numerous people. Amidst this, a media outlet reported that Muthasim allegedly called Nasheed and discussed a case filed with the Supreme Court.

Nasheed’s office has released a statement denying the report.

In the statement, Nasheed said Muathasim’s integrity has never been called into question. He added that there has never been a doubt that Muthasim will discharge his duties with utmost integrity and faith, citing this as a reason he was apponted to the post.

Nasheed urged against spreading such lies in a post on X in which he shared the statement.

Muthasim and Nasheed are close acquittances. Muthasim had accompanied Nasheed on some officials visits Nasheed had undertaken during his tenure as the Parliament Speaker.

On February 26, the then-Supreme Court justices Azmiralda, Mahaz Ali Zahir and Husnu Al-Suood were suspended by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) citing an ongoing investigation by the against them by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Their suspension came less than one hour ahead of a hearing scheduled at the Supreme Court regarding a request for an injunction to suspend the enforcement of controversial anti-defection clauses that were written into the Constitution last year. It also came shortly after the ruling PNC used its supermajority in the Parliament to push through amendments to the Judicature Act to downsize the Supreme Court bench from seven to five justices.

Suood resigned from the top court in protest of JSC’s decision, and the commission later opened misconduct investigations against Azmiralda and Mahaz, accusing them of conspiring to influence a Criminal Court judge.

On May 4, the JSC asked the Parliament to approve their dismissal. Both Azmiralda and Mahaz - both of whom claim that the allegations against them are baseless and that the investigations by the JSC were tainted by the denial of due process to them - were dismissed with majority votes of 68-11.

Muthasim’s silence amid the ordeal has been criticized by many.

In a statement following her dismissal, Azmiralda said upon hearing about their suspension, Chief Justice Muthasim had commented that they would not be returning to the Supreme Court.

Notably, Muthasim has filed for retirement amid heavy criticism. JSC has yet to accept his resignation.