Lack of a magistrate sparks protest in Hanimaadhoo

Hanimaadhoo Magistrate Court has been closed and a protest is under way in the island due to the lack of a magistrate.

Mohamed Adam, who spoke to Sun Online from Hanimaadhoo, said that it had been a year since the island’s magistrate had been suspended over corruption allegations.

He said that cases at Hanimaadhoo Court are processed only when the magistrate of Nolhivaramfaru visited Hanimaadhoo.

“Nolhivaramfaru magistrate visits this island once a month. Years after they are filed, cases are still pending. The only thing this island court can do is marriages. Even that, we have to bear the cost of transport for Nolhivaram magistrate to and from this island,” he told Sun Online.

Adam said that the protest outside the court was peaceful.

“The administrative staff of the court went to open the court, but seeing the crowd outside, decided to wait,” he said.

A member of Hanimaadhoo Island Council said, on the condition of anonymity, that the court gate was being kept closed by protesters, and that he was not informed of the reason behind this protest.