Rasdhoo Magistrate Court has, for the first time, published the photograph of a father who failed to pay court-ordered child support.

The court gazetted a notice authorizing the release of the man's photograph as part of enforcement measures against parents who fail to pay proven maintenance costs.

The individual was identified as Mohamed Habeeb, Nooranmaage, Alifu Dhaalu Mandhoo.

Rasdhoo Council President Ahmed Waheed told Mihaaru News that the court adopted the measure following similar action taken by the Family Court last year.

According to Waheed, the court decided to publicize the identities of parents who fail to pay child support for an extended period after being ordered to do so.

Although the Family Court introduced a policy in 2018 allowing the publication of the identities of maintenance defaulters, it has rarely exercised that power.

The first court to publicly identify a parent for unpaid child support was the Lhaviyani Hinnavaru Magistrate Court in late 2024. It was followed by Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi Magistrate Court and later the Family Court.

Non-payment of child maintenance following divorce remains a common issue in the Maldives. Courts have adopted various enforcement measures to recover outstanding child support from parents who fail to comply with such orders.