The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), on Sunday night, canceled its meeting to decide on the removal of suspended Supreme Court Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir.
Multiple sources confirmed that the meeting was canceled abruptly without stating a reason.
Azmiralda and Mahaz have been on suspension for the past 60 days. According to the JSC Act, the maximum period for which a judge can be suspended is 60 days.
The JSC committee, which examined the complaints against the two Supreme Court judges, earlier decided to recommend their removal from the bench.
The committee comprises Mohamed Nasih, Yazmeed Mohamed and Ali Abdul Latheef. Nasih and Yazmeed are directly appointed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
If the committee's recommendation is passed by the JSC, the matter will be sent to the Parliament, which is controlled by Muizzu.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the suspension of two Supreme Court judges to be lifted and their posts restored.
A UN expert had also expressed concern as the chosen counsel of the justices were not given the opportunity to speak at the disciplinary proceedings.
“The disciplinary proceedings brought against three of the Supreme Court’s Justices appear to violate the principle that judges can only be dismissed on serious grounds of misconduct or incompetence and in accordance with fair procedures guaranteeing objectivity and impartiality as provided for by the Constitution or the law,” said Margaret Satterthwaite, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.
“The pressure of suspensions, disciplinary proceedings and investigations may amount to an interference in the independence of this institution.”
Azmiralda, Mahaz, and former Justice Husnu Suood were suspended after the anti-corruption watchdog informed the JSC about a fabricated investigation to prevent a constitutional case on MP disqualification.
On February 26, they were suspended shortly before the hearing of the case was due to begin at the Supreme Court.
