JSC moves to remove suspended SC judges
The commission agreed to send the final report to the judges involved, in accordance with due process, allowing them seven days to respond.
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The Judicial Service Commission (JSC)'s investigation committee on Thursday decided to move forward with the removal of Supreme Court judges Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir over allegations of misconduct and abuse of influence.
During a meeting held Thursday evening, the JSC reviewed the findings of a special investigative committee probing claims that Azmiralda and Mahaz attempted to exert undue influence on Criminal Court regarding the controversial arrest of Dr. Ismail Latheef, Azmiralda’s husband and a doctor at IGMH. He was detained during a police raid on a local massage parlour.
According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the investigation report recommends the dismissal of both judges. The commission agreed to send the final report to the judges involved, in accordance with due process, allowing them seven days to respond before a final decision is made.
In a separate but related investigation, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently probing both Azmiralda and Mahaz for allegedly influencing Criminal Court judges in multiple cases. Azmiralda, in turn, has accused ACC President Adam Shamil of interfering in the trial process and providing false information, although her complaint to the police was not accepted.
The JSC is also handling several other cases tied to this unfolding saga:
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Disciplinary proceedings against High Court Assistant Registrar Hussain Mohamed Haneef, following his appearance before the Supreme Court where former judge Husnu Suood allegedly verbally abused him in the presence of Azmiralda and Mahaz.
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An investigation into Azmiralda’s lawyer, Ibrahim Shameel, for issuing a press release deemed inappropriate by the commission.
Azmiralda, Mahaz, and former judge Husnu Suood were suspended in February, just as the Supreme Court was set to hear arguments related to a contentious constitutional amendment. The amendment would make Members of Parliament lose their seat if expelled from their party—a clause that could significantly reshape the political landscape.
The timing of the suspensions effectively stalled the case, as the court was left with only four active judges. As per the Courts Act, constitutional cases must be heard by a bench of at least five.
In the interim, former High Court Chief Justice Hussain Shaheed has been appointed to the bench, though the court has yet to schedule a hearing on the constitutional matter.
