Thirty days after Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan formally notified his intent to retire, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has yet to make a decision regarding his retirement package.
Chief Justice Adnan submitted his retirement notice to the JSC on May 8, 2025. However, a reliable source confirmed to Adhadhu that the Commission has not taken any official decision on the matter.
Speculation about Adnan's departure had been circulating since February, when he publicly hinted at stepping down. “It is likely that I might not be seen in this capacity in such events,” he remarked during a judicial function in early February.
Muthasim is currently serving his second term at the Supreme Court. His first term ran from August 10, 2010, to 2014. He returned to the bench and was sworn in as Chief Justice on December 8, 2019.
His decision to retire comes at a turbulent time for the judiciary. Recently, the JSC came under fire for removing Supreme Court Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir through a controversial process widely criticized as lacking due process.
The dismissals followed an abrupt JSC inquiry that began shortly after the Supreme Court started reviewing a constitutional amendment allowing political parties to disqualify MPs who switch allegiances.
Observers have criticized Chief Justice Muthasim for failing to uphold judicial independence during the proceedings. Both dismissed justices were denied legal counsel, and were not permitted to present evidence or call witnesses during their hearings.
Translate
