Shaheed seeks withdrawal from High Court Judge appointment

Former Deputy Minister at Homeland Security Ministry Mohamed Shaheed has today requested the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to withdraw his name from consideration for High Court Judge appointments.

In a letter to the JSC today, Shaheed requested the cancellation of his application, citing concerns that some still view him as politically active and expressing a desire to avoid any doubts about judicial integrity.

"This is a step I am taking in the interests of the nation and the independence of the judiciary. Although I was earlier in a political post, I resigned from it before applying for this position so as to distance myself from politics," he wrote.

Shaheed further asserted that it was a personal decision to apply for the post of High Court Judge, adding that the decision was free from any outside influence.

Shaheed also informed the JSC that he would not be attending the oath taking ceremony scheduled for tonight. He stated that he will not accept the position of High Court Judge.