Nizar reappointed to committee amid SC judges' removal review

The Judiciary Committee of the Parliament has been reconstituted as it reviews the dismissal of Supreme Court judges Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir.

The Parliamentary Group of the People’s National Congress (PNC) on Wednesday decided to appoint Kolamaafushi MP Ibrahim Didi to the Judiciary Committee, replacing Feydhoo MP Ismail Nizar. However, Nizar was present at the committee’s meeting held Thursday.

Judiciary Committee Chairperson and MP for Manadhoo, Hosni Mubarak, stated that Nizar’s replacement was due to his official representation of Parliament at a webinar. Mubarak added that following this, the PNC re-nominated Nizar to the committee.

The agenda of Thursday's committee meeting did not include the dismissal of judges Mahaz and Azmiralda. Items under consideration included the Attorney General's Office Bill and the Prevention of Gang Crimes and Dangerous Crimes Bill.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had earlier decided to remove Mahaz and Azmiralda based on allegations that they had influenced a decision by the Criminal Court regarding the arrest and remand of Azmiralda's spouse, Dr Ismail Lateef, a doctor at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. He had been taken into custody at a massage parlour.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently investigating a case involving the alleged influence exerted by Mahaz and Azmiralda on Criminal Court judges. The JSC has suspended both judges following a letter from the ACC recommending their suspension.

In a related matter, Azmiralda filed a complaint against ACC President Adam Shamil, alleging undue influence in the investigation. This complaint has been registered with the ACC. She also submitted a complaint to the police, accusing Shamil of providing false information; however, the police declined to investigate.

The JSC has also opened several additional inquiries, including:

Mahaz, Azmiralda, and former judge Husnu Suood were suspended in February, coinciding with the scheduled hearing of an interim order related to a constitutional case. The case concerns a recent amendment to the Constitution enabling the loss of a parliamentary seat upon expulsion from a political party.

The suspension of the three judges delayed the proceedings of the constitutional case. During the period, only four judges remained active in the Supreme Court. Under the Courts Act, a constitutional case must be heard by a bench of at least five judges. The composition of a Supreme Court bench may also change in cases of resignation or removal of a judge.