JSC denies targeting high court judges amid intensifying criticism
JSC is investigating five of eleven High Court judges and states it treats all judges equally regardless of their court in disciplinary matters
President Muizzu (R) presents letter of appointment to Husni Mubarak (L), after appointing him as a JSC member - 29-10-2025
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) stated that it does not treat judges differently in disciplinary investigations based on the court to which they belong.
The commission is facing widespread criticism after initiating disciplinary probes against five of the eleven judges serving on the High Court bench.
In a press release responding to the criticism, JSC referenced Article 157(b) of the Constitution, which establishes the commission as an independent and impartial institution required to carry out its duties in accordance with the Constitution and laws passed by the People’s Majlis.
The statement said the commission is responsible for ensuring that the Maldivian judiciary becomes an institution trusted by the public and one that delivers justice in its most complete form. It added that judges must be individuals who conduct trials justly and issue verdicts swiftly.
The JSC said it is taking necessary steps by investigating complaints submitted against judges, monitoring their performance, providing training, and ensuring their safety and security. The statement also noted that the commission is working to ensure that administrative arrangements and matters related to judges’ work are properly maintained.
According to JSC, disciplinary cases are not approached with any special treatment for judges based on the court they serve in. It emphasized that regardless of the court, the commission verifies information and thoroughly investigates all aspects related to the issues raised in the complaint.
The statement said a decision to launch a formal investigation into a judge’s disciplinary case is made only after examining all relevant matters, and that the commission’s statistics support this. So far this year, 176 disciplinary complaints have been submitted, of which 57 were selected for investigation. Following investigations, action was taken against six judges where misconduct was proven.
JSC stressed that its focus is solely on the complaint submitted and the evidence accompanying it. The statement said the commission does not consider it its responsibility to disseminate information in a way that suggests judges from a specific court are being investigated with special attention.
