A resolution has been submitted to the People’s Majlis seeking to hold the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) accountable for the dismissal of Supreme Court justices, following Prosecutor General (PG) Abbas Shareef’s decision not to press charges due to a total lack of evidence supporting the allegations against them.
The resolution, moved by Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), follows the PG Office decision on September 30 to decline prosecution. The PG Office concluded that, after reviewing the evidence gathered during the investigation into Supreme Court Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, there were no grounds to believe a criminal offence had been committed.
Referencing the PG’s decision, the resolution asserts that "it has become evident that these justices were removed from their posts based on entirely baseless allegations."
Emphasising that the JSC must be held responsible for such a significant decision, the resolution further states: "Given that the Judicial Service Commission removed justices of the nation’s highest court based solely on allegations where no criminal conduct could be established, the Commission must bear responsibility and be held accountable for this action."
Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir were removed from the Supreme Court on May 14, 2025, following a recommendation by the JSC. The removal was approved by a vote of 68 members of the People’s Majlis, amid allegations that the justices had exerted undue influence.
However, following an investigation by the Maldives Police Service initiated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the PG officially closed the case on September 30, 2026, citing a lack of evidence to prove any criminal wrongdoing.
The JSC had initially suspended Justices Azmiralda, Mahaz, and Husnu Suood just moments before they were scheduled to begin hearings on a case filed by former Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain. That case sought to overturn a constitutional amendment that would cause members of Parliament to lose their seats under certain conditions.
In the wake of the controversy, Justice Suood resigned from the bench after alleging that President Mohamed Muizzu and the Attorney General had attempted to influence the judiciary. The JSC proceeded with the disciplinary cases against Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz, leading to their dismissal by Parliament.
Under Article 22(a) of the Judges Act of the Maldives, a judge shall not be removed from office as long as they adhere to the prescribed code of conduct and ethics. Furthermore, Article 22(b) stipulates that a judge may only be removed if the JSC finds them incompetent or guilty of gross misconduct, and if a resolution for removal is passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting in the People’s Majlis.
