In a significant development, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated a criminal investigation into three Supreme Court judges who were suspended earlier today by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The judges, Azmiralda Zahir, Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Husnu Al Suood, have been temporarily removed from their positions as part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspension came just ahead of a scheduled hearing regarding the implementation of a controversial constitutional amendment that would result in the loss of seats for certain Members of Parliament. The JSC confirmed that the decision to suspend the judges was taken after the ACC informed the commission about the criminal probe currently underway.
Under the law, the JSC has the authority to suspend any judge who is either arrested or detained on suspicion of a criminal offense. Additionally, if an investigative authority notifies the commission about an ongoing investigation involving a judge, it is within the JSC’s jurisdiction to act. In this case, the ACC’s involvement in notifying the JSC triggered the suspension of the three judges, marking a serious turn in the investigation.
The timing of this suspension has raised eyebrows, particularly as it coincides with legal proceedings concerning the amendment to the constitution that would affect parliamentary seats. As the investigation unfolds, there is increasing speculation regarding the nature of the alleged misconduct by the judges involved.
The three suspended judges have yet to comment publicly on the investigation, but the case is now in the hands of the ACC, which will look into the specifics of the alleged wrongdoing. With judicial independence often a topic of national debate, this investigation is likely to have far-reaching implications for the integrity of the judicial system in the Maldives.
As the investigation proceeds, the country will be watching closely to see what impact this case will have on the relationship between the judiciary and the executive, and how it might shape future legal reforms.
