High Court Judge Mohamed Faisal Resigns

High Court Judge Mohamed Faisal has resigned from his post as investigations by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) continue into allegations involving five judges.

The High Court confirmed Faisal’s resignation in a statement posted on its official social media accounts, expressing appreciation for his service.

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“On behalf of the High Court, we would like to express our gratitude to Judge Mohamed Faisal for his valuable services upon his resignation from the post of High Court Judge today,” the announcement said.

ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ހައިކޯޓުގެ ފަނޑިޔާރުކަމުގެ މަގާމުން، ފަނޑިޔާރު އަލްއުސްތާޛު މުޙައްމަދު ފައިޞަލް މިއަދު އިސްތިއުފާ ދެއްވާފއިވާތީ، ފަނޑިޔާރު އަލްއުސްތާޛު މުޙައްމަދު ފައިޞަލް ކޮށްދެއްވާފައިވާ އަގުހުރި ޚިދުމަތްތަކަށް، ހައިކޯޓުގެ ނަމުގައި ޝުކުރު ދަންނަވަން pic.twitter.com/jiW1IZSbz1— High Court of Maldives (@mvhighcourt) November 23, 2025

Although the JSC has not disclosed the identities of the five judges under investigation, the High Court currently comprises 11 judges under the Judicature Act.

Faisal’s resignation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the JSC’s oversight and disciplinary processes. The commission has denied reports that it applies disproportionate scrutiny to cases involving judges from specific courts, asserting that its procedures remain consistent and impartial.

In its statement, the JSC stressed that investigations into alleged judicial misconduct are guided solely by evidence submitted through formal complaints, and that impartiality is upheld regardless of a judge’s court affiliation. The commission dismissed suggestions that it devotes particular attention to judges from certain jurisdictions.

Faisal, who was appointed to the High Court on 24 July 2018, had been selected by the JSC for appointment as Chief Judge of the High Court and was appointed as the interim chief on 17 April 2025. He oversaw the court temporarily until recently, but on 19 November the High Court announced that Judge Abdulla Jameel would serve as interim chief. Jameel was appointed to the High Court bench on 3 August this year.

The developments follow a series of changes within the judiciary earlier this year. The JSC previously suspended three Supreme Court justices. Justice Husnu Al Suood later resigned, while Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir were removed by parliament.

Faisal himself had previously served as a member and vice president of the JSC.