Criminal Court has ordered the release of Dr Ismail Latheef, husband of Supreme Court Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir, after police submissions to the court cleared him of any criminal charges.
Dr Latheef, an IGMH doctor, was arrested in December last year during a raid on a massage parlor on suspicion that the establishment was being used as a front for prostitution.
However, the police stated that at the time of the arrest, the person in the room with him was clothed, the room was unlocked, and no incriminating evidence was found.
Given his clean record and professional position, Criminal Court Judge Ibrahim Zihunee decided against remanding him.
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Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is investigating allegations that Supreme Court judges Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir attempted to influence the court’s decision regarding Dr Latheef's release.
Judge Mahaz, who appeared before the JSC yesterday, denied the allegations raised against him. His lawyer, Mohamed Faisal, stated that Mahaz only became aware of the arrest at around 11:30 a.m. that day after the Criminal Court had already ruled on remand leaving no room for influence.
Justice Azmiralda’s lawyer, Ibrahim Shameel, also denied the allegations, stating in a letter to the JSC that no lower court judge had been contacted regarding the case. Azmiralda's JSC hearing, which was initially scheduled for today, has been postponed.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also investigating the matter and has taken statements from Criminal Court Judge Ibrahim Zihunee and another judge, Safwath Habeeb.
In a post on X, Dr Latheef earlier said that he occasionally gets massages which is no secret from his family and friends.
He said that his wife was unaware of his arrest until the next day, shortly before he was produced in court. Dr Latheef added that no one had exerted influence to secure his release.
The controversy surrounding the case intensified last week when Justices Mahaz and Azmiralda were suspended just 15 minutes before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hold a hearing on a constitutional amendment that could strip MPs of their seats if they defect or are expelled from their parties.
Additionally, Parliament recently passed an amendment to the Judicature Act to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges from seven to five. The bill was passed in an expedited manner despite concerns from legal experts over its legality. The amendment has yet to be ratified by the President.
Judge Mahaz at JSC: Unaware of arrest of Dr Latheef until after release
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