President returns bill to cut Supreme Court bench to 5 judges

President Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday returned to the parliament a bill to amend the Courts Act, reducing the number of Supreme Court judges from seven to five, effectively removing two judges from their positions within a maximum of 12 days.

Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Abdul Sattar Mohamed introduced the bill in his own capacity on 24 February, following which the parliament debated and referred to the relevant committee for review on 25 February. On the same day, the committee approved the bill without any changes.

The bill was passed in parliament on 26 February with a three-line whip from the PNC parliamentary group, receiving 68 votes in favour.

In a brief statement, the President's Office said Tuesday evening that the president had sent the fifth amendment to the Courts Act to the parliament for further reconsideration.

Under the bill:

Following the bill's approval from the parliament, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) suspended three Supreme Court judges and launched investigations into alleged ethical violations as the court was preparing to hear a request for an interim order to halt the implementation of a constitutional amendment.

This development has resulted in the suspension of the constitutional amendment case that was under review by the full seven-judge bench.

The JSC is also investigating a separate disciplinary case against suspended Supreme Court Justice Azmiralda Zahir over an alleged incident involving suspended Supreme Court judge Husnu Suood and High Court Assistant Registrar Hussain Mohamed Haneef. Supreme Court Judge Mahaz Ali Zahir was reportedly present during the incident.

A full bench of seven judges was handling the constitutional case concerning the amendment affecting parliamentary seats.

Suood resigned in protest last week, citing alleged unconstitutional pressure from President Muizzu to prevent the case from being heard.