SC judge Azmiralda seeks to address Parliament committee over dismissal recommendation

Supreme Court judge Dr Azmiralda Zahir has formally requested an opportunity to appear before the Parliament’s Judiciary Committee ahead of its deliberations on a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommendation to remove her from the bench.

JSC yesterday voted to recommend the dismissal of Justice Azmiralda and fellow Supreme Court judge Mahaz Ali Zahir, following findings of misconduct. The matter has been tabled for today’s Parliament sitting, with the Judiciary Committee scheduled to convene at 11:00 am.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Justice Azmiralda expressed serious concern over the JSC’s process, describing the investigation as “unconstitutional” and in breach of legal norms and basic principles of justice.

She requested to attend the committee meeting with legal representation to present her defence before a final decision is made.

“In the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court, the highest authority in the administration of justice, it is imperative for the committee to hear the grievances of a judge before taking a decision on their removal from office,” the letter read.

Judge Azmiralda also noted that she had requested the opportunity to appear before the JSC prior to its decision on the ethics committee’s report, but was not granted that chance.

JSC voted in favor of the disciplinary committee’s findings, which concluded that Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz sought to influence a court decision involving the custody of Azmiralda’s husband, Dr Ismail Latheef. The report alleges that the two judges pressured Judge Ibrahim Zihunee who presided over the closed session through Criminal Court Judge Sofath Habeeb, leading to Dr Latheef’s release from custody.

The JSC subsequently resolved to recommend their removal from the Supreme Court bench.

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.

Earlier, judge Azmiralda had filed complaints to the Parliament and to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu regarding the manner in which JSC had conducted their investigation in the case.