Five months to appoint High Court judges, refuses to release information

Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has refused to release details on the delay of appointment of Judges for the two vacant positions at High Court.

The bench is comprised of nine Judges. Two positions remain vacant as Judge Abbas Shareef retired over a year ago, and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir resigned last year. Judge Abbas retired on account of his health.

Applications were opened for Judge Abbas’ position on January 2016. When Dr. Azmiralda resigned applications were opened for two positions in August the same year. however, as there were only two applicants, and the announcement was made again.

Eight applicants expressed their interest. Civil Court Judges Abdullah Jameel Moosa, Mohamed Haleem and Hassan Faheem had expressed their interest. Additionally, HDh. Vaikaradhoo Court Senior Magistrate Mohamed Niyaz, B. Hithaadhoo Court Senior Magistrate Ummu Kulsum Aboobakur, Abdullah Zuhair, Abdullah Farooq Ibrahim and Minna Nafiz had also sent in their applications.

Last year November, JSC said the delay was caused by the lack of quorum. JSC laws mandate that two-thirds of the 10-member Commission must be present to hold sessions.

Responding to questions from Raajje.mv, JSC media official Hassan Zareer said that Judges have not been appointed to the vacant positions. He had refused to answer repeated questions over why there was a delay.

The operations Northern and Kulhudhuffushi branches of High Court remains stalled due to this issue. Judges are selected after an interview and a vote taken by the Commission. The Commission will vote on the top three candidates.

Clause 28 of Judges Act demands that JSC should appoint an individual to a vacant position within an appropriate time. The media official also refused to respond to the question whether appropriate time had passed for selection process.