Opposition "concerned" over JSC's failure to probe Judge Rasheed

The opposition Progressive Coalition has expressed concern over the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)’s failure to investigate Criminal Court’s interim chief, Judge Ali Rasheed.

In a statement released on Thursday, the opposition noted that a complaint against the judge was submitted to JSC on November 10, over an interview given to RaajjeMV regarding the suspension of the court’s chief judge.

Noting that the case involved the money laundering trial of their leader, former President Abdulla Yameen, the Progressive Coalition stressed that the matter “requires immediate action.”

They claim that Judge Rasheed had violated Article 29 of the Judges’ Act, in giving the interview to RaajjeMV.

Noting that the opposition believes that judge should recuse himself from the case after such actions, the coalition called on JSC “to investigate the judge and take action.”

While the court’s Chief Judge Ahmed Hailam was suspended last Tuesday, hours ahead of Yameen’s verdict hearing, JSC had appointed Judge Rasheed as the court’s interim chief.

In a statement released after his suspension, Hailam accused senior government officials of working to influence his verdict in the case, and had even claimed that the interim chief would be facing the same pressures.

However, Judge Rasheed denied this in his interview to RaajjeTV, adding that a person will only face such pressures “after opening such a door.”

Rasheed’s residence was vandalized earlier this week, with a message scribbled on the front door.

The court has since appointed a five-judge bench to preside over the former president’s case, and a hearing is scheduled for November 17.