Magistrate Mausoom resigns ahead of impeachment vote

Chief Magistrate of the Haa Dhaal atoll judicial administration, Mohamed Mausoom, has resigned.

Mausoom’s resignation comes amid an impeachment motion at the People’s Majlis.

While the Majlis was to take a vote on the matter at Monday’s sitting, Speaker Mohamed Nasheed had announced that Mausoom had sent in his resignation to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

However, the judiciary committee’s report on the issue was read out at the sitting.

While JSC had requested the parliament to dismiss the magistrate from the post in July, the parliament committee found that JSC had followed the due procedures in doing so.

The top magistrate is accused of accepting bribes in judicial matters while serving at the Haa Dhaal Hirimaradhoo Court. JSC said that other similar issues were found during the investigation into Mausoom. Other violations include use of vulgar language in the workplace as well as instances of sexual harassment.

JSC described Mausoom’s actions as against the Judges Act as well as disciplinary standards.