Extended period allowed for judges to respond to allegations

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday ratified a bill to extend the deadline for cases investigated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and give more time to the judges involved in these cases to respond.

The bill, introduced by Maradhoo MP from MDP Ibrahim Shareef on behalf of the government at the end of May, was passed by the parliament on 17 October with some minor changes brought about by the parliament’s Judiciary Committee.

The bill mandates the JSC’s registration committee to notify the commission of its decision on proceeding with or rejecting a complaint within 14-days from the complaint date, excluding public holidays.

The bill also grants recipients of complaints seven days, excluding public holidays, to submit their defence and any recommendations to the investigation committee — the seven-day period commences upon receipt of the investigation report. The JSC is also mandated to hold a hearing within seven days excluding public holidays upon receipt of the defence.

The bill also mandates the investigation committee to send its reports to the commission, which the commission will share with the complaint recipient. The bill also states that the recipient of complaints must be accorded the due opportunity to respond to the investigation report before a ruling is issued.