JSC to check extent of sexual harassment in the courts
The decision was reached due to the increased number of sexual harassment allegations
Some members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to conduct an assessment on the extent of sexual harassment in the courts.
JSC announced this at a press conference on Monday, with Director Hassan Zaheen noting that the reason for this is the “increased amount of sexual harassment complaints.”
Hence, the commission is to investigate the current condition in the courts.
In addition, JSC appealed to all institutions to file any issues against judges at the commission.
While the judiciary oversight body is to review the courts, it is currently investigating harassment allegations against a number of judges.
As such, RaajjeMV understands that the recently suspended Magistrate, Mohamed Raghib, is being investigated over a sexual harassment issue.
In addition, JSC on Monday announced that investigations have been launched against five additional judges, including Drug Court Judge Adam Arif; Arif is a former Chief Judge at the Criminal Court.
The others being investigated are; Fuvahmulah court’s Magistrate Hussain Rasheed, Gaafu Alifu KanduHulhudhoo court Chief Magistrate Hassan Didi, Kaafu Thulusdhoo court Magistrate Ghainaan Ali Mohamed and Raa Maakurathu court Magistrate Adnan Hussain.
All five cases are being investigated by sub-committees.
JSC had also, at its 40th meeting, decided to let Raa Innamaadhoo court’s Chief Magistrate Ali Nasheed off with a warning, after concluding its investigation into a complaint against him.
Last week, the commission announced that it was investigating 13 cases against magistrates, and seven against Criminal Court Judge Hassan Najeeb.
JSC is also investigating Supreme Court Justice Abdulla Didi, for using his position to influence criminal proceedings.
While JSC’s investigative meeting with him was held in public, all allegations against Didi were read out there. This includes, helping to release suspects in journalist Ahmed Rilwan’s abduction case, and aiding police’s top suspect in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption case.
