High Court has issued a stay on the Employment Tribunal's order to reinstate Aishath Jennifer as the Deputy Managing Director of Island Aviation Services (IAS). Jennifer was dismissed from her position earlier this year under contentious circumstances.

Jennifer was appointed Deputy Managing Director of IAS on 25 December 2018 during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. However, following a board meeting on 28 December 2023 under the new government, her employment was terminated. She was officially dismissed on 3 January 2024. Jennifer contested the dismissal, claiming it was unlawful, and filed a case with the Employment Tribunal.

On 26 October, the Employment Tribunal ruled in Jennifer’s favour, declaring her termination invalid. The tribunal ordered her reinstatement and compensation, including back pay and additional damages. It also instructed IAS to cover her legal expenses and provide fair compensation for financial losses incurred due to the termination.

In November, the state filed an appeal against the tribunal’s ruling in the High Court, challenging both the reinstatement order and the compensation directive. In response, the High Court issued a stay on the tribunal's decision, effectively halting its implementation until the appeal is resolved.

A three-judge bench, comprising Justice Huzaifa Mohamed, Justice Hassan Shafiu (Chair), and Justice Abdul Maniu Hussain, passed the stay order. The High Court noted that without an immediate decision on the plea for a stay, the purpose of the tribunal’s judgment might not be served. Therefore, it directed that no action be taken to enforce the tribunal’s decision until the matter is adjudicated.