The High Court has shown support for the Civil Court's ruling to hand over leadership of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) to the Party's Chief Adviser President Abdulla Yameen.
The request to overrule the Civil Court's decision to hand over control of the Party to President Yameen was filed in the High Court by Party member, Abbas Wareef. Former President Maumoom was making preparations to file this matter in the High Court as well.
Maumoon had inserted himself into the case when the hearings had started.
Parliament Member of the Naifaru constituency Ahmed Shiyam and Member of the Hulhudhoo constituency Mohamed Shaheed filed the original case in court. The ruling of the case was to hand control of the Party to the Party's Chief Adviser, President Yameen until the Party's council come up with an alternative leadership. A council meeting overseen by President Yameen was also ordered to be held within 24 hours of the sentence. The two Members filed this case in court saying that council meetings were not being held and that former President Maumoon was holding discussion meetings against Party law.
While PPM's internal struggle has grown, the High Judge of today's High Court hearing, Abdulla Didi said that handing the Party over to the Chief Adviser was the most peaceful solution. That while two members of the Party have filed in court that the Party Head is unable to carry out his responsibilities, the position of Abdul Raheem Abdulla is also in question.The judge said that it is a known fact that the Party Head had written to remove Abdul Raheem Abdulla as Party Head.
The Head Judge said that if the Party requests to the Court for a solution, the Court can find a solution and it would not be called interfering in the Party. He also said that it was clear that former President Maumoon was not following Party rules. And that a legitimate reason was not given for not following the rules.
He also said that there is no Party law regarding the action to be taken if the Party's Head refuses to hold council meetings, and that the Court can provide solutions for problems that are not solved within the rules and laws. He noted that it is within the Court's power.
He also noted that the procedure had gone according to the law at the Civil Court. The judge said that PPM had repeatedly shown excuses when called to answer the problem and continued to defy the words of the Court.
Regarding the questions on the motive of Abbas Wareef in requesting the overturn of the case, the High Judge said that ordinary members of the Party have a stake in this as well. The Judge informed that Abbas also has the right to ask for an overturn in this sentence.
The Judges on the bench not including High Judge Abdulla included Judge Abdulla Hameed and Judge Ali Sameer.
