A lawyer has filed a petition seeking to halt the appointment of Mohamed Shaheed as a High Court judge, citing concerns over his political ties and lack of experience.
Lawyer Ahmed Naushad, who also applied for the post, lodged the case on Thursday, requesting the court to stop the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from proceeding with Shaheed’s appointment until the matter is resolved.
In his filing, Naushad argued that Shaheed’s integrity was in question due to his active involvement in politics, including his former role as Deputy Minister of Homeland Security in the Muizzu administration and his activities within the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). Naushad also claimed that Shaheed lacked sufficient experience for the post and questioned why he was selected over more qualified candidates.
The JSC on Wednesday appointed Shaheed and former judge Abdulla Jameel Moosa to fill two vacant seats on the High Court bench. The commission has not disclosed details of the vote or the selection process.
Shaheed, who previously worked as a lawyer for five years, resigned as Deputy Minister in July before applying for the position. He has long been associated with the ruling PNC and has appeared on party podiums and taken part in campaign events alongside President Mohamed Muizzu.
The High Court vacancies arose after two judges were promoted to the Supreme Court following the removal of Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir. The Muizzu government has faced allegations of influencing the JSC in connection with those dismissals, which occurred as the Supreme Court was reviewing a case challenging a constitutional amendment on the removal of MPs.
The JSC has not commented on the petition or the allegations of political interference.