Advertisement
Farhad (R) and Niyaz.

JSC probes judges after vote against Supreme Court dismissals

The cases follow their votes against the removal of two Supreme Court judges, Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir.

19 May 2025
Advertisement

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is investigating disciplinary cases involving Civil Court Judge Farhadh Rasheed and High Court Judge Mohamed Niyaz.

The cases follow their votes against the removal of two Supreme Court judges, Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir.

A public body filed a behavioural complaint against Judge Farhadh, and the matter has been submitted to the JSC. Judge Niyaz is also under investigation based on a separate complaint lodged with the Commission.

Neither case has yet been formally deliberated by the full Commission. Both remain under review by the designated internal committee.

Under JSC procedures, complaints are initially referred to a three-member committee. Upon reaching a decision, the matter is forwarded to the full Commission for consideration and resolution. As per the JSC’s 2022 policy, information related to disciplinary cases is made public only if a judge is found guilty of misconduct.

Judges Mahaz and Azmiralda, along with former judge Husnu Suood, were suspended in February. Their suspension occurred shortly before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear an interim order related to new constitutional provisions on parliamentary seat vacancies.

The case involves a constitutional amendment permitting the loss of a parliamentary seat upon expulsion from one’s political party. The case has been on hold for more than two months following the judges’ suspension.

According to the Courts Act, constitutional matters before the Supreme Court require a minimum bench of five judges. At the time of the suspensions, only four judges remained active on the Supreme Court bench. The composition of the bench can also be changed when a judge resigns or is removed from office.

The Commission later decided to remove Judges Mahaz and Azmiralda from their positions following allegations that they attempted to influence parliamentary decisions concerning the arrest and detention of Azmiralda’s husband, IGMH doctor Ismail Latheef, in connection with an incident at a massage parlour.

Judges Mahaz and Azmiralda have denied the allegations.

Comments

profile-image-placeholder