Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has formed a committee to investigate claims regarding the alleged influence local gangs have over the justice system and judges in particular, made by Husnu Suood, the head of the presidential commission on murders and disappearances.

In a press statement, JSC stated that, as the authority that is tasked with investigating and penalizing judges, it was disappointed that Suood had made claims that undermine the trust in judges without filing a complaint.

JSC did not disclose the names of the members appointed to their committee to verify Suood’s claims.

At a press conference on 30 December 2018, Husnu Suood said that gangs have influence over judges, and that some had even been ‘nominated’ by the gangs. He also said that court officials have a hand in the gang’s involvement in the justice system and that, because of this, judges have deliberately halted death cases.

He detailed that gangs have been using their influence to intimidate witnesses, tamper with evidence, release suspected terrorists, reduce prison sentences, and jail innocent people.