JSC suspends SC Justices Azmiralda, Suood and Mahaz

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to suspend three justices of the Supreme Court.

RaajjeMV understands that the three suspended justices are Judge Husnu Al Suood, Judge Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir.

RaajjeMV understands that the decision was made during the JSC meeting held on Wednesday.

These three individuals have been suspended while the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on issuing a temporary order to prevent the removal of parliamentarians, regarding the constitutional amendment that would result in members losing their seats for floor-crossing.

JSC has decided to dismiss these three judges at a time lawyers were present in court for the hearing regarding the issuance of a temporary order by the Supreme Court to prevent the dismissal of members in the case of constitutional amendments that would result in parliamentarians losing their seats.

As a result, when some Supreme Court justices were abruptly suspended shortly before the hearing was due to begin, JSC has faced severe criticism over the matter.

JSC has made such a controversial decision at a time the People’s Majlis has passed a bill to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices.

However, while the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives states that justices can only be dismissed after the JSC refers a disciplinary matter to the People’s Majlis and it is approved by the parliament, the Parliament's Counsel General Fathimath Filza had also expressed concern as the amendment creates a situation where the JSC would need to dismiss justices through a different procedure.

The Judiciary Committee decided on Tuesday night to determine a course of action regarding the Counsel General's comments when the bill is passed on the parliament floor. However, despite these concerns, the amendment to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices was passed on the parliament floor on Wednesday.