Former Supreme Court Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir have revealed that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has failed to question them even once, eighteen months after the commission launched an investigation into their conduct.
Mahaz and Azmiralda were removed from the bench following a report submitted to Parliament by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which was based on a case initially filed with the ACC.
Speaking to Adhadhu, Mahaz said that a year and a half has passed since the ACC confirmed it was investigating him for alleged abuse of power, yet no inquiry has been made. He expressed deep concern over the delay in the proceedings.
"They haven't asked a single question yet. Being investigated is not, in itself, a concern—if there is something to investigate or an allegation to be made, it should be looked into, whether one is in office or not. The concern is the unusual delay. They should investigate what they need to and reach a conclusion," Mahaz said.
"But after a year and a half, the issue is that delaying a criminal matter is not something recognized by law. Whether you look at the Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Act, or the ACC Act, the requirement is to conclude all matters as swiftly as possible."
Azmiralda told Adhadhu that the ACC has not even clarified the allegations against her. While the commission has confirmed that a complaint was filed, she noted that they have yet to contact her for questioning.
"The Anti-Corruption Commission has not contacted me since the case was filed. I only learned through the media that they confirmed a case involving me had been submitted. But they have not provided any details on what the case is or what the allegations are," Azmiralda said.
Furthermore, Azmiralda expressed concern that such serious allegations are being left dormant without due process.
"The concern is having a major allegation hanging over me without it being processed. I don't understand why it is being kept on hold. I am no longer in office. Usually, this is a tactic used by those who abuse influence," she said.
"They file a case against someone and 'park' it until the right moment. I am not in any position now, so I fail to see the interest in keeping this pending."
The ACC confirmed to Adhadhu that the investigation into the two removed justices is ongoing but declined to provide further details.
The ACC and JSC initiated proceedings against Mahaz and Azmiralda after the Supreme Court began reviewing a constitutional amendment that would cause Members of Parliament to lose their seats if they left their political party.
The ACC investigation into Supreme Court Justices Husnu Al Suood, Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Azmiralda Zahir began in February 2024. The three justices were suspended pending the investigation just as hearings for the anti-defection case were set to commence.
Justice Suood resigned while the investigation was ongoing. In May 2024, the government-controlled Parliament voted to remove Justices Mahaz and Azmiralda, disregarding the advice of the Counsel General of Parliament.
Neither Azmiralda nor Mahaz were granted the opportunity to defend themselves during the JSC proceedings or the parliamentary committee stage. Their removal was passed using the supermajority of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
The ACC has stated it is investigating a criminal matter involving the justices but has not disclosed specifics. Mahaz and Azmiralda were reportedly accused of influencing a lower court case, while Suood faced allegations regarding comments made to hold the High Court Registrar accountable.
The government has since filled the three vacancies on the Supreme Court bench. The newly appointed justices are Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee, Justice Abdulla Hameed, and Justice Hussain Shaheed.
