AG Usham said that the government has no intention of changing the bench of the Supreme Court, altering the bench of any other court, or intervening in judicial matters against the constitution.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham has refuted claims that the government is attempting to alter the composition of the Supreme Court bench, stating that there is no such intention or plan.
His comments come in response to remarks made by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during a Maldivian Democratic Party rally "in defense of the constitution" held last night, where Solih alleged that the government was seeking to change the Supreme Court bench to consolidate power.
AG Usham in an interview with Mihaaru News said that the government has maintained a firm stance against exerting any influence on the judiciary since coming to power.
He emphasized that this principle will continue to guide the government's actions and that there is no intention to interfere with the judiciary, including reshuffling the benches of the Supreme Court, High Court, or lower courts.
"The government has no intention of changing the bench of the Supreme Court, altering the bench of any other court, or intervening in judicial matters against the constitution. This stance will remain unchanged," Usham said.
He also noted that the government does not direct the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to handle cases against judges in a specific manner, that such matters are investigated independently in line with established regulations.
Usham said that during former President Solih's administration, the Supreme Court bench was replaced within its first year, in addition to reshuffling the High Court bench and transferring lower court judges.
Previously, the Supreme Court bench has undergone changes twice during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen. In one instance, the number of Supreme Court judges was reduced to remove then-Chief Justice Ahmed Faaiz Hussain and now current Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan.
Later, in 2018, following a Supreme Court order on February 1, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed were arrested and imprisoned.
The number of Supreme Court judges was increased to seven during Former president Solih's administration.
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