Civil Court has dismissed an objection raised by senior MDP activist Mariyam Zubair (Mandhi) regarding a defamation suit filed against her. The court rejected her claim that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, ruling instead that it does have the authority to proceed.

The defamation suit stems from remarks Mandhi made linking a vape ban to the son of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. First Lady Sajidha Mohamed filed the case on behalf of the president’s family, against both Mariyam Zubair and the opposition MDP, including its chairperson Fayyaz Ismail.

The court now requires the defendants to formally respond to the charges under the Civil Procedure Act.

According to a statement from the president’s family lawyer, former Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor, the comments directed at the president’s son, Umair Mohamed Muizzu, have allegedly caused serious harm to his mental wellbeing and could pose a threat to his future.

The statement argues that the comments violated protections provided under the Children’s Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The lawsuit claims that since the remarks were made at an MDP rally and the party did not intervene to stop or condemn them, MDP and its chairperson Fayyaz are also liable.

In response, the MDP has filed a countersuit, accusing the president's family and lawyer of defaming the child through their public statements.