Azmiralda requests open JSC hearing on removal
The request follows the conclusion of an inquiry by a JSC-appointed committee, which recommended the removal of the two judges.
Supreme Court Justice Azmiralda Zahir has requested that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) open its session Sunday evening, where a decision is due to be made on the removal of two Supreme Court judges, Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir.
The request follows the conclusion of an inquiry by a JSC-appointed committee, which recommended the removal of the two judges. The committee’s decision relates to allegations that Azmiralda and Mahaz attempted to influence proceedings following the arrest of Azmiralda’s husband, IGMH doctor Ismail Latheef, from a massage parlour, and intervened in his remand process.
The JSC is scheduled to convene at 8 p.m. to consider whether the two judges should be removed based on the committee’s report.
In a letter to the Commission, Azmiralda outlined three specific requests:
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To appear at the JSC meeting with legal counsel to present defence evidence;
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To have the session and subsequent Commission meeting open to the public;
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To exclude members who participated in the inquiry committee from voting on the Commission’s final decision.
The individuals identified by Azmiralda for exclusion include Civil Service Commission Chairman Mohamed Naseeh, President Mohamed Muizzu’s appointee Yazmeed Mohamed, lawyers’ representative Ali Abdul Latheef, and Attorney General Ahmed Usham, who participated in the inquiry for a period.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also conducting an investigation into allegations of corruption involving Azmiralda and Mahaz, focusing on claims of influencing judges at the Criminal Court. In response, Azmiralda has filed a complaint alleging that ACC President Adam Shamil influenced the trial. This complaint has been registered with the ACC.
Additionally, Azmiralda lodged a complaint with the police, accusing Shamil of providing false information, though the police reportedly declined to accept the case.
The JSC is simultaneously investigating several other related matters. These include:
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Allegations against them and former judge Husnu Suood for misconduct against High Court Assistant Registrar Hussain Mohamed Haneef involving Azmiralda and Mahaz;
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A disciplinary case against Azmiralda’s lawyer, Ibrahim Shameel, concerning the issuance of a press statement.
Azmiralda, Mahaz, and Husnu Suood were suspended in February, just before the Supreme Court was set to begin hearings on an interim order related to amendments governing the loss of parliamentary seats following expulsion from a political party. The suspension temporarily halted the constitutional case for over a month.
At that time, only four judges remained active in the Supreme Court. Under the Courts Act, constitutional matters require a bench of at least five judges. Following the suspensions, former High Court Chief Justice Hussain Shaheed was appointed to the Supreme Court. However, no new hearing date has yet been scheduled for the constitutional case concerning the parliamentary seat loss amendment.
