Supreme Court Declares Hithadhoo North MP Sinan’s Parliamentary Seat Vacant

The Supreme Court has ruled that the parliamentary seat of Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Shinan is vacant, citing his failure to settle a court-ordered debt.

The case stems from a loan of MVR 3.8 million obtained from the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB), which Shinan and other shareholders reportedly failed to repay. Legal proceedings concluded in July 2024, and in October that year, the Hithadhoo Court ordered Shinan to pay MVR 2.5 million within six months. The judgment was delivered in his absence.

According to Shinan’s legal counsel, he only became aware of the ruling when MIB initiated enforcement proceedings against him. However, court records indicate that on the day the judgment was issued, MIB sent the decision to Shinan via Viber, along with a message noting that the case had been decided in absentia. Less than an hour later, Shinan responded: “Got thank you”.

During Supreme Court hearings on the matter, Shinan initially argued that he was unaware of both the judgment and the enforcement case. At a subsequent hearing held on 13 July 2025, his lawyer stated that Shinan became aware of the verdict on 22 January and had since entered into negotiations with MIB regarding repayment terms.

Opposing counsel challenged the defence, arguing that lack of awareness did not absolve Shinan of responsibility. They maintained that he had failed to meet the constitutional requirements for parliamentary membership.

The Court referenced Article 73 of the Constitution, which stipulates that individuals with proven debts that remain unpaid in accordance with a court judgment are ineligible to serve as Members of Parliament.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad, speaking on behalf of the five-member bench, stated that the case clearly concerned a loan that had not been repaid in accordance with a court order. She noted that the Constitution requires Members of Parliament to comply with such judgments, and that failure to do so results in the loss of their seat. The other judges on the bench concurred with the decision.

The Court therefore concluded that Mohamed Shinan no longer meets the qualifications to serve as a Member of Parliament and declared his seat vacant.

The case had been submitted by political activist Ghalib Saleem.