Judiciary Sets Goal to Clear 13,000 Long-Pending Cases in 2026, Chief Justice Says
A special ceremony to inaugurate the Judicial Year at CHSC School in Hulhumalé on Sunday evening. | Photo: President’s Office
Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee Mohamed has said that resolving more than 13,000 court cases that have been pending for over a year will be one of the judiciary’s top priorities in 2026, amid continuing concerns over delays in the delivery of justice.
Speaking at a special ceremony to inaugurate the Judicial Year at CHSC School in Hulhumalé on Sunday evening, Abdul Ghanee said the judiciary could only be considered strong if justice was delivered without undue delay. The ceremony was hosted by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
“Everyone acknowledges that delay in justice is injustice,” the chief justice said, adding that it was unfortunate many cases had remained unresolved for long periods due to a range of factors, including circumstances beyond the courts’ control.
According to the chief justice, by the end of 2025 there were 13,032 cases that had been pending for more than a year. He said the judiciary’s goal was to eliminate these backlogs by the end of this year and build a more accountable court system free of prolonged delays.
Abdul Ghanee, who was appointed chief justice last August, outlined several measures aimed at achieving this target. He noted that more than 21,000 new cases are expected to be filed in 2026, and said steps would be taken to ensure new cases proceed without delay. A special task force will also be established to focus specifically on clearing the existing backlog.
The task force is due to be formed on Tuesday. Abdul Ghanee said it would require the magistrates and judges handling delayed cases to explain the reasons for the delays and identify the precise causes.
“If any of these cases have been delayed because of a lack of assistance from a government agency, we will consult with that agency,” he said, adding that all activities of the task force would be logged and properly documented.
He also said the initiative would address the issue of people being held in detention while awaiting trial, which he described as a broader social concern.
