Removal of two SC judges placed on tomorrow's Parliament agenda

Removal of Supreme Court judges Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir has been placed on the agenda for tomorrow’s Parliament sitting.

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) today decided to forward the matter to Parliament, recommending the dismissal of both judges, who were suspended in February over allegations of misconduct.

The pair are accused of attempting to pressure Criminal Court judge Sofath Habeeb Zihunee into releasing Dr Azmiralda’s husband, Dr Ismail Latheef, from custody. The case has been referred to the Standing Committee and is scheduled for deliberation in tomorrow's sitting.

Under the Constitution, a judge may be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of MPs present, following a recommendation by the JSC.

JSC is also probing a separate complaint involving the same judges. It is alleged that Azmiralda and Mahaz were present when former Supreme Court judge Husnu Suood summoned High Court assistant registrar Hussain Mohamed Haneef to the Supreme Court and berated him. Suood, who was also suspended at the time, later resigned.

All three judges were suspended while the Supreme Court was preparing to hear a case on the annulment of a constitutional amendment that would strip MPs of their seats if they defected from their parties.