The High Court on Sunday ruled that the death penalty cannot be imposed on a minor found guilty of stabbing a man to death in Male' in 2015.
The defendant was under 18 years of age at the time of the offense and his case was heard by the juvenile court.
The prosecution appealed the juvenile court's death sentence in the High Court because the law requires three stages of trial for death sentences.
The judgment in the appeal in the High Court noted that the Islamic Shariah punishment for intentional homicide is the death penalty if the heirs want it, but the current Juvenile Justice Act does not allow it to be imposed on a child.
The three-judge bench unanimously upheld the juvenile court's conviction. However, the High Court ordered the juvenile court to reconduct hearings on the punishment.
The bench was comprised of Justice Mohamed Faisal, Justice Mohamed Saleem and Justice Mohammed Niyaz.
Four people were charged after Noor Mohamed Fulhu was stabbed to death near Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on March 29, 2015.
Two of the suspects were minors at the time. One was sentenced to death while the second minor was given a 10-year jail sentence by the High Court.
The other two men involved in the case were charged with participating in the intentional homicide with a sharp weapon.
The penalty for the offense is 25 years in prison and the two were sentenced by the Criminal Court.
