Mahaz at the top of President's priority list

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has submitted six names to Parliament for the appointment of two individuals to the vacant Tax Appeal Tribunal seats. Former Supreme Court Judge Mahaz Ali Zahir (GDh. Madaveli, Meyna) is at the top of the list.

Asiya Azeema (R. Hulhudhuffaaru, Rose Villa) is named second in the list, with the rest being:

Their names have been sent to the Parliament Judiciary Committee for review.

President Muizzu had previously sent Asiya's name to appoint her as a member of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). However, the President reversed his decision and sent in another individual's name.

Mahaz was dismissed from his position as a Supreme Court Judge on 14th May 2025 via a Parliament vote due to a disciplinary case being proven against him. Another case is also seeing ongoing investigation by the ACC since February, with no details being provided to the media.

Along with Mahaz, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir was also dismissed from her position as a Supreme Court Judge due to both Azmiralda and Mahaz exerted their influence into the lower courts to release her husband Dr. Ismail Latheef from jail.

As per the JSC report, they concluded that Azmiralda and Mahaz had exercised their influence on Judge Ibrahim Zihuny through Criminal Court Judge Safath Habeeb. Zihuny was presiding over Latheef's detention case in the Criminal Court at the time.

Due to this, it was concluded that this was a violation of the Code of Conduct for Judges. The JSC recommended to the Parliament for the removal of Azmiralda and Mahaz from their positions.

However, both individuals have denied all of the aforementioned. 

After Parliament had voted, Mahaz had stated that he was proud in not bending to any outside or inside influence during his time at the Supreme Court.

He went on to say that he is proud of the work he has done for the court.

"I am proud for not bowing my head in influence and for coming this far," said Mahaz via a tweet on the day he was removed from his position.

As per the tweet, he said that he is thankful to various organizations and public encouragement, along with having been able to speak on behalf of the law and the acts that broke it. The tweet also stated that the future holds nothing but happiness.

Mahaz was appointed to the Supreme Court in November 2019. Before that, he was a Judge in the Drug Court from 2012 until his appointment. He had closed many high profile cases for the Supreme Court during his time.