Criminal Court sentences man to nine months for contempt after repeated warnings ignored

A man has been sentenced on Wednesday, to nine months in prison for contempt of the Criminal Court.

Ali Adhuham, of Raiyvilaage, A.A. Thoddoo, was handed the sentence after repeatedly refusing to follow the court’s instructions and speaking disrespectfully during proceedings. The court said he continued to challenge the bench despite repeated warnings.

Contempt of court refers to conduct that obstructs the administration of justice or undermines the authority and dignity of the court. It includes disrupting proceedings, shouting, abusing or threatening a judge or court staff, intentionally disobeying court orders, lying about proceedings, or spreading information that damages the court’s credibility.

Under the Courts Act, judges have the power to take immediate action against individuals who insult the court. Such decisions can be made on the spot during the hearing, without requiring a separate prosecution.

While Adhuham was sentenced to nine months for contempt on Wednesday, he was also sentenced in two additional cases in which the Prosecutor General’s Office charged him with knowingly entering an unauthorized location and possessing another person’s property.

The two cases relate to unauthorized entry into Aminiya School while it was under construction, and the theft of 18 planks of wood.