Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to investigate a disciplinary case against Supreme Court judge Dr Azmiralda Zahir for issuing press releases on her behalf.
The investigation follows allegations that Azmiralda violated a code of conduct for judges stipulated in the Judiciary Act, which prohibits judges from responding directly to media claims about cases they are handling. The code permits responses to media issues only through a relevant court employee.
The issue came to light after Azmiralda was suspended following the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), investigating allegations that she influenced Criminal Court judges to release her husband, Dr Ismail Latheef, from custody.
Azmiralda denied the allegations, and her lawyer, Ibrahim Shaamil, issued several press releases on her behalf, including claims that the Attorney General, Ahmed Usham, had sent an agent to influence her.
The JSC's decision to investigate the case was supported by a majority vote, despite heated opposition from some members, particularly those appointed by the courts. The JSC has also been investigating the alleged influence of Azmiralda on lower court judges, but the three Criminal Court judges who testified said that she had not attempted to influence their decisions.
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In addition to this matter, the JSC is also investigating an incident involving High Court Assistant Registrar Hussain Mohamed Haneef, who was summoned to the Supreme Court and allegedly demeaned by former Supreme Court judge Husnu Suood in the presence of Azmiralda and another Supreme Court judge Mahaz Ali Zahir.
Azmiralda has appeared before the JSC in relation to this case today.
Following her suspension, complaints have been filed with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, as well as with various embassies and high commissions.
Additionally, Husnu Suood, who resigned following the incident, has filed complaints with the UN Human Rights Commissioner, the European Union, and the Commonwealth.
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