JSC seeks to expel two judges who did not vote against Azmiralda and Mahaz

May 20, 2025, 5:20 AM
Judges Farhad and Niyaz. -- Photo: JSC

Judges Farhad and Niyaz. -- Photo: JSC

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is working to expel two judges from the commission who did not vote for the dismissal of Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir.

High Court Judge Mohamed Niyaz and Lower Court Judge Farhad Rasheed did not vote to dismiss Azmiralda and Mahaz.

Adhadhu can confirm that the JSC is looking into complaints related to Niyaz and Farhad. But the commission has not yet commented on the matter.

A subcommittee of the JSC has discussed the cases and has also asked the JSC to decide on how to proceed.

There are two cases against Niyaz. However, both cases were previously concluded by the commission. Farhad's case is based on an incident that happened six years ago.

Azmiralda and Mahaz were dismissed based on a report sent to the parliament after an abrupt and unlawful inquiry conducted by the JSC.

The parliament's Counsel General Fathimath Filza also said the investigation was unlawful and due process was not followed.

The two justices were dismissed despite repeated calls from the Maldives Bar Council and multiple international organisations on the government to uphold values of justice, fairness and due process.

Earlier, former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood, who was suspended along with Azmiralda and Mahaz, resigned in protest of intimidation and influence from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and his Attorney General Ahmed Usham.

JSC abruptly began disciplinary proceedings against the justices after the Supreme Court accepted a constitutional case to quash a constitutional amendment which empowered political parties to disqualify MPs for floor crossing.

The proceedings were launched after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) fabricated a criminal investigation and sent a letter to the JSC against standard procedure.

The JSC subcommittee formed for the proceedings had three members - two of them are directly appointed by Muizzu. They are his representative and the President of the Civil Service Commission.

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