Majlis Committee Seeks Finance Advice on MVR 70K for Retired Chief Justice
Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan. | Photo: President Office
The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has decided to consult the Ministry of Finance over a proposal to provide a monthly allowance of MVR 70,000 to the retiring Chief Justice of the Maldives.
The allowance, which includes travel and living costs, is part of an amendment to judicial regulations proposed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
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Currently, the regulations do not explicitly address benefits for a retiring Chief Justice. According to existing rules, only judges who resign voluntarily after reaching the age of 55 and who have served at least 10 years are eligible for the benefits. The proposed changes seek to grant a one-time allowance of MVR 500,000 and a monthly MVR 70,000 stipend, along with transport benefits, specifically for the Chief Justice upon retirement.
The JSC forwarded the amendment to the Majlis. However, following a review of the matter members of the Public Accounts Committee raised concerns over the potential financial burden such allowances could impose on the state. The committee has recommended that the Finance Ministry be consulted and that any adjustments to the regulation be made in line with decisions from the Pay Commission.
This proposal comes as Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan has officially requested retirement from the Supreme Court. His decision follows a period of turmoil within the judiciary, marked by the dismissal of two Supreme Court justices—Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir—and the resignation of Justice Husnu Al Suood.
The recent shake-up in the Supreme Court has sparked broader conversations about judicial independence and accountability. Critics have called for reforms to restore public confidence in the judiciary amid rising political and institutional tensions. The proposed retirement benefits package for the Chief Justice is now the latest matter under scrutiny, as lawmakers balance state obligations with fiscal responsibility.
