Supreme Court orders reinstatement of former police intelligence chief

The Supreme Court has ordered the Maldives Police Service to reinstate former chief superintendent Mohamed ‘MC’ Hameed.

The dismissal of the former head of intelligence in August 2012 on suspicion of leaking confidential information was unfair, the apex ruled Sunday.

The judgment came after Hameed appealed a High Court decision in November 2016 to overturn a civil court order for his reinstatement.

The Supreme Court previously refused to hear the appeal. But a request by Hameed to review the decision was accepted in the wake of September’s presidential election . The court has reviewed the cases of several politicians and ordered their release since former president Abdulla Yameen’s election defeat.

During the appeal hearings last month, a state attorney representing the police institution reportedly conceded due process violations in Hameed’s sacking.

The Supreme Court noted the failure to inform the home minister as required by the rules of taking administrative action against police officers. The police disciplinary board also lacked the authority to dismiss Hameed as the case involved a criminal element, the three-judge panel noted.

The MPS was also ordered to compensate Hameed for lost pay and allowances within 15 days.

The ruling has fuelled speculation of Hameed’s appointment as commissioner of police. The law requires the police chief to be promoted from within the senior ranks.

Hameed, who had served for more than 17 years at the time of his dismissal, has a masters in policing, intelligence and counter-terrorism.

Prior to his dismissal in August 2012, he was detained on allegations of contributing to a Maldivian Democratic Party report on the controversial transfer of power on February 7, 2012 after a police mutiny. He was later released without charges.

Thank you all! With the Supreme Court’s vedict, I intend to wear the police uniform and regardless of what rank or position I hold, I will work hard to the best of my ability to restore public confidence in the police institution and improve policing overall.

— Mohamed Hameed 🎈 (@M_Hameedh) December 2, 2018