The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has launched an additional investigation into Criminal Court Judge Ahmed Hailam, over a message sent to a Viber group.

JSC made the decision at an emergency meeting on Monday, with was presided by its President Abdulla Areef.

The emergency meeting was held over Judge Hailam’s Victory Day greetings to a chatgroup, which shows national hero and Victory Day martyr Corporal Hussain Adam pulling eight figures who are tied to chains.

In addition to Abdulla Luthufee, the mastermind behind the 1988 attack, individuals seen in the drawing include incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former President Mohamed Nasheed.

While JSC has announced the decision to accept and investigate the disciplinary complaint against the judge, an investigative committee is to be proceed with the issue.

The commission said that it decided to probe the matter as “if proven, this is in violation of the judges’ disciplinary standards.”

Judge Hailam’s greeting message sent to a Criminal Court chatgroup called “CCRC Ekuveringe Dharubaaru” was leaked online on Sunday night, and he has since faced immense backlash on social media, especially given the fact that he is to issue a ruling in one of the biggest cases in the country's history soon.

The matter is being discussed at Monday’s parliament sitting, with ruling coalition lawmakers questioning the judge’s integrity.

Hailam is the presiding judge in former President Abdulla Yameen's money laundering trial, which concluded last month. A verdict is to be issued on Tuesday (November 5).