Azmiralda dismissed over baseless allegations orchestrated by “small committee”

It has been revealed that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) decided to dismiss Supreme Court Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir from her position, rejecting the evidence presented in her defense, based on “make-believe” allegations orchestrated by the “small committee” that investigated the case.

JSC decided to dismiss Judge Azmiralda after claiming that she influenced the judges of the Criminal Court to release her husband, Dr. Ismail Latheef, who was arrested in a case related to a spa called "Diamond Fingers", on 4 December 2024.

Regarding the case, Azmiralda stated in the investigation that she only contacted Affan Shafy, the lawyer appointed by Ismail Latheef, and that this information was obtained from lawyer Moosa Aalim.

In a press conference held on May 6 by Azmiralda's legal team, they also stated that 5 December 2024 was the day a hearing was held to decide on a remand in connection with the case case, and that the evidence submitted to JSC clearly shows how events unfolded that day. They also said that evidence was submitted that clearly shows how things happened.

Dr. Azmiralda's lawyer Ibrahim Shameel briefs reporters

While JSC alleges that Supreme Court Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir contacted the Criminal Court on behalf of Azmiralda in the case, this has been denied by Azmiralda's legal team. Azmiralda herself has also denied these allegations.

The investigation into several judges began while they were reviewing a case filed to nullify the constitutional amendment that allows for the loss of parliamentary seats when members leave or are expelled from the party they were elected under. The judges were suspended just as a hearing for the case was about to begin.

Among the judges suspended at the time, Husnu Suood has voluntarily resigned. In his place, Hussain Shaheed, who was a judge at the High Court, has since been appointed to the Supreme Court.

Both suspended Justices Mahaz and Azmiralda deny the allegations against them.

Several members of the public have been expressing great concern about the case of dismissing judges. They suspect that the government is doing this to influence the constitutional case pending in the Supreme Court.