K. Male'
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26 Nov 2019 | Tue 17:49
Supreme Court Justice Ghanee
Supreme Court Justice Ghanee
Presidents Office
Supreme Court
Justice Ghanee's dismissal motion placed on Wednesday's agenda
Currently, three justices approved by the 19th parliament that began afresh this year remain on the Supreme Court bench
"The dismissal of justices will lead up to judicial reform"
If passed, Ghanee will be the third justice to be removed this month; fourth this year

People’s Majlis has placed the dismissal case of Supreme Court Justice Abdul Ghanee on the agenda for Wednesday’s sitting.

Parliament Speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed announced this at Tuesday’s sitting, revealing that the case was forwarded to the parliament floor by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The commission earlier suspended the justice for a period of 60 days and launched investigations into three disciplinary cases lodged against him.

Nasheed revealed that if the parliament endorses Ghanee’s removal, the entire Supreme Court will be changed.

Majlis on 18 November passed to remove two other justices, Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi and Justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla while Justice Abdulla Didi was also dismissed from his position in August.

Further, the speaker added that he does not believe that judiciary can be reformed just by taking measures against judges and justices.

Furthermore, Justice Abdulla Areef- the most senior in the bench- retired this month, and newly appointed Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir has been appointed interim chief; Areef held the position prior to retirement, and following Didi's suspension and subsequent dismissal.

In addition to Dr. Azmiralda, the 19th parliament approved Aisha Shujoon and Mahaz Ali Zahir to the bench this year. Azmiralda and Shujoon are the country's first female justices.

Article 154 (b) of the constitution allows judges to be removed through People’s Majlis if they are found guilty of gross misconduct and they may only be removed in two-thirds majority of parliamentarians votes in favor.

As per law, the Supreme Court bench consists of seven justices.

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