Former Judge Rauf and Judge Shafeeu to be appointed to High Court

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to appoint former High Court Judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim and Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu to the two vacant positions on the High Court bench. 

When JSC initially announced the vacancies, they received 19 applications for the position of High Court Judge. 

While these two applicants have been selected for the High Court, the JSC has also decided to appoint L. Kalaidhoo Magistrate Court's Chief Magistrate Ahmed Niyaz to the Criminal Court. 

Rauf previously resigned from the High Court after the JSC, during the previous administration, had decided to remove him after investigating his acceptance of a flat during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration. He has later contested for the Keyodhoo constituency parliament seat on a ruling People's National Congress (PNC) ticket. 

Two High Court vacancies arose with the retirement of Judge Mohamed Niyaz, the court's longest-serving member, and the resignation of Judge Mohamed Faisal. The Criminal Court vacancy followed the removal of Hussain Faiz Rashad. 

The new appointees will be sworn in at a ceremony held at Supreme Court tonight.