2nd Request For Review

Following the High Court Registrar’s decision to reject the petition against Gulper Shark Fishery in the Maldives for a second time, a request to review the Registrar’s decision was submitted to the High Court today.
In addition, a press statement has been issued today outlining serious concerns about the manner in which the High Court Registrar is dealing with this petition.

Our Press Release (in Dhivehi, English translation pending)

High Court Registrar 2nd Rejection

Decision of the High Court Registrar to reject the petition against Gulper Shark Fishery in Maldives for a second time.
Decision of the Registrar, 95-CR/INDIV/2026/244 (Dhivehi)

Local news coverage

– Sun Online
– Mihaaru
– Dhauru News
– Edition

Gulper Shark Fishery Case – Judges’ decision & re-application

• Following the High Court Registrar’s decision to reject the petition against Gulper Shark Fishery in the Maldives, a request to review the Registrar’s decision was submitted to the High Court on 21 December 2025, as per Section 51 of the Judicature Act (Law No. 22/2010).

• Section 17 (c) of the High Court Regulation provides that in such circumstances, “a decision will be made by a panel consisting of an uneven number of High Court judges”.

However, the fact that there is no time period specified for this process remains a concern.

• On 22 January 2026, a response was received from the High Court to the request to review the Registar’s decision. In this response, a 3 judge panel made the decision that there were no grounds to review the Registrar’s decision. The 3 judges are:

1 – Judge Abdullah Jameel Moosa
2 – Judge Fathimath Farheeza
3 – Judge Ibrahim Mahir

• Notably, the decision made by this 3-judge panel did not directly consider the points used by the Registrar to reach her decision. Instead, certain additional points were observed. Among these, it was observed that Constitutional matters involving the ‘public interest’ fall outside the jurisdiction of the High Court.

• In connection with the judges decision, the petition submitted on 9 December 2025 was reviewed and revised. The revised petition was submitted to the High Court on 2 February 2026.

• Therefore, being convinced that opening a Gulper Shark Fishery in the Maldives contravenes the Maldives Constitution and other laws, a Constitutional petition was once again submitted to the Maldives High Court.

• At the time of this update, the petition remains pending a decision by the High Court Registrar.

• Miveshi will continue to provide updates on the progress of this case

Local news coverage

– Raajje (23 Feb)
– Dhauru (22 Feb)
– Mihaaru (22 Feb)

Press Event

• Following the High Court Registrar’s decision to reject the petition against Gulper Shark Fishery in the Maldives, a request to review the Registrar’s decision was submitted to the High Court today. Section 51 of the Judicature Act (Law No. 22/2010) provides a review of the Registrar’s decision in such instances.

• In addition, at a press event held in Male’ today, details of the case experience were shared with attendees. The event was attended by journalists and civil society stakeholders.

Gulper Shark Fishery Case Summary-21 Dec 2025[Eng]

Decision of the High Court Registrar

• Decision of the High Court Registrar to reject the petition against Gulper Shark Fishery in Maldives
Decision of the Registrar,
Number 95-CR/INDIV/2025/407 (PDF) (Dhivehi)

Media coverage of the news
• Mihaaru
• Sun Online

Local News Coverage

• Mihaaru , Sun Online and Atoll Times newspapers publish articles about the submission of the petition.

Petition against Gulper Shark Fishery

• Petition against Gulper Shark Fishery submitted to the High Court of Maldives. This is a constitutional case.