Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood has resigned in protest against alleged influence by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on judges in connection with the constitutional case on disqualification of MPs.
In his letter addressed to Muizzu, Suood said the Judicial Service Commission's (JSC) suspension of three Supreme Court judges was an attempt by his government to influence the courts and stop the constitutional case.
"Three judges of the Supreme Court were suspended, the People's Majlis passed a bill to reduce the number of judges and all the judges of the Supreme Court were intimidated to conclude the mentioned case as you wished. Since you continue to influence judges in violation of Article 141 (d) and (e), I have resigned in protest effective immediately," Suood stated.
Suood was appointed to the Supreme Court bench in December 2019.
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Last week, the JSC suspended three Supreme Court judges shortly before the hearing on a petition to quash the constitutional amendment that disqualifies MPs for changing political parties.
JSC confirmed to Adhadhu that Justices Husnu Suood, Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir were suspended.
The commission said they were suspended after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) informed about a criminal investigation against them. But there are allegations that the alleged ACC investigation is a case fabricated by the government.
The JSC and ACC did not provide any information about the investigation. In addition to the ACC probe, the JSC is also investigating a disciplinary complaint against the three judges.
Adhadhu understands that the ACC letter to JSC was sent at around 10:00 am on February 26 as the Supreme Court judges prepared for a hearing on the constitutional case at 11:00 am.
Shortly after Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham and some other JSC members proposed an emergency meeting, the meeting was scheduled for 10:30 am with just a 13-minute notice.
A hearing of the constitutional case was scheduled for 11:00 am when former Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain requested the court to issue an interim order to suspend procedures for MP disqualification until a final decision is reached in the case.
But the judges were suspended, effectively halting the case as the full bench must sit for constitutional cases.
Muizzu has reiterated vows to not influence the judiciary during the presidential election campaign and in his address to the nation after taking oath of office in November 2023.
