Petition being signed to remove JSC's lawyer's representative

Lawyers have started signing a petition to remove Ali Abdul Latheef, the member representing lawyers in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The petition was initiated in a lawyers' Telegram group by former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood, who resigned following his suspension along with two other Supreme Court Justices, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir.

The lawyers' main concern is Latheef's involvement in the disciplinary proceedings against Azmiralda and Mahaz, which did not ensure basic rights otherwise afforded to them. He is also among the committee of three members investigating the case.

According to local reports, the petition would be submitted to the Bar Council.

According to Article 165 of the Constitution, members appointed to JSC shall be removed from office by the entity which appointed them to the commission. The member representing lawyers is chosen via an election by the Bar Council.

According to the Legal Profession Act, if 20 percent of the registered lawyers sign a motion to remove the JSC member, the Bar Council must hold an abstention vote within 14 days.

As of now, JSC's investigative committee has put together a report of its findings from the investigation against the two justices, and submitted it to the commission. However, JSC has not made a final decision.

The justices claim that the proceedings did not follow proper procedure, and refused guaranteed rights. Several international bodies have also expressed concern regarding the matter.