Registrar’s Decision Submitted for Review

Supreme Court submission requesting to review the Registrar’s decision to reject the petition.

• Following the Supreme Court Registrar’s 12 May 2026 decision to reject the petition, a request to review the Registrar’s decision was submitted to the Supreme Court on 16 May 2026.

• The review request was based on the following 2 points:

1) that the Registrar’s decision-making fell outside the legal scope of the Registrar’s responsibilities.

2) the Registrar’s decision was made with reference to 2 previous Supreme Court decisions – however, it is evident from these 2 case-law decisions that the Registrar’s reasoning is inconsistent with the legal basis of the arguments in these cases – while such a decision falls outside the Registrar’s responsibilities, it should in fact be a decision made by a judicial bench.

• Considering this case falls under s 11(a)(3) of the Judicature Act, requiring an expedited response due to its constitutional and public interest nature, it is concerning that this case is experiencing procedural delays in the Court.

Supreme Court Registrar rejects submission

Following the revision and re-submission of the case to the Supreme Court on 27 April, the Registrar of the Supreme Court shared her decision on 12 May 2026, rejecting the submission.

In reaching this decision, 2 cases were cited as below:

1) Ali Shah v. State (The People’s Majlis) 2021.
2) Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed v. The People’s Majlis (the State) 2021.

Referring to these 2 cases, the Registrar stated that on assessing the basis of the present case, it was deemed that “this case is not a type of case that should be submitted to the Maldives Supreme Court”.

Given the Registrar’s decision raises questions about its legal strength, an application will be made to the Supreme Court to review the Registrar’s decision.

Resubmission

Funavaa Case resubmitted to the Supreme Court after the revisions required by the Court.

Supreme Court order

The Supreme Court orders certain revisions to the Funavaa petition form.

Request to Submit Constitutional Petition

A request to submit a constitutional petition to the Supreme Court of the Maldives was submitted in connection with the imminent loss of the Kaafu Atoll Villimale Funavaa (old growth Indian Laurel forest patch), hereafter, the Funavaa Case.

A press statement was issued by Miveshi on 21 April 2026 (Dhivehi).

This case was submitted by two residents of the Greater Male’ Region, Humaida Abdul Ghafoor and Ahmed Ikram.
The respondents in this case are:
1) Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy
2) Environmental Regulatory Authority
3) Maale City Council

Information about the background and updates of this issue are available at Save Maldives campaign site.