The Criminal Court has assembled a five-judge bench to investigate Husnu Suood, the head of the Presidential inquiry commission on deaths and disappearances, over his claims that judges issue court rulings under the influence of local street gangs.

This comes at a time Suood briefed the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on the alleged link between gangs and judges.

A statement released by the court on Monday revealed its decision to investigate the former Attorney General and prominent lawyer, after the judge's bench held discussions regarding the allegations.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday.

Criminal Court has not revealed the names of the five judges who will be looking into the case.

In December 2018, Suood had claimed that local gangs have a say on which judges are appointed to the courts.