Chief Justice travelling to India; to return only after President's Hajj trip

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed is to leave to Bangalore, India and return only after the President returns from his Hajj trip, claims the opposition.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, regarding Supreme Court delaying a case submitted by opposition parliamentarians over them being stripped off their parliamentary seats, the Joint Opposition's spokesperson MP Ahmed Mahloof revealed that they have 'received information of the Chief Justice's plans to travel to India'.

The Galolhu-South MP hinted that Saeed is being 'pressured' into leaving the country again.

"The latest information we have received is that Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed is to leave to Bangalore. And that he will return only after President [Abdulla] Yameen returns from his Hajj trip. They cannot do this. I am straightforwardly saying that Chief Justice Major General Ahmed Shiyam had gone into the Supreme Court, dressed in military uniform, and threatened the judges. That we know this. This cannot be done, you know. Fear was instilled in the judges by questioning their safety," said Mahloof.

He called on the Supreme Court to expedite the case and "make a ruling, whichever way," highlighting that a verdict "will solve a number of issues".

Chief Justice Saeed had been in India last month as well, returning on 5th August. He had left the country days after the case regarding the disqualification of four lawmakers was submitted to the Court.

The case was filed after the Elections Commission announced that four MPs were no longer Members of Parliament, following a controversial ruling by the Supreme Court, backing Attorney General Mohamed Anil's motion to criminalize floor crossing.