The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) today responded to allegations levelled against the commission by Supreme Court Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir's lawyer, following a proceeding held yesterday to investigate an allegation against the judge.
Following the proceedings yesterday, Azmiralda's lawyer Ibrahim Shameel alleged that JSC did not allow him to speak during the proceeding.
Shameel, in a statement regarding Azmiralda's testimony to JSC, further said that the commission asked Azmiralda to answer their questions and did not allow him to speak when he wanted to raise legal concerns on behalf of his client.
Pointing out that legal representation is a constitutional right, Shameel branded the investigation unconstitutional.
JSC responded with a press release today, and said all rights granted to the judge by the Constitution and laws were granted to Azmiralda during the investigation process.
The commission said that Azmiralda was allowed to appoint a lawyer upon her request on Thursday as provided by article 25(b) of the JSC Act, and that Ibrahim Shameel was able to attend yesterday's investigation proceedings as the appointed lawyer.
"However, the information provided to the media by Dr. Azmiralda Zahir's lawyer after the investigation proceedings was false," the statement alleged.
The role of the lawyer is to provide legal advice to the judge when the judge requires it, and the commission had given both Justice Azmiralda and the lawyer multiple opportunities to consult privately as well, the statement said.
The JSC said it is the general practice followed by the commission and all investigative agencies in the country.
Azmiralda, along with Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, is currently suspended from the Supreme Court bench following a letter sent to the JSC by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), claiming there are active investigations against them. Husnu Suood was also suspended from the bench along with Azmiralda and Mahaz, but he resigned on his own accord, accusing the government of interfering with the judiciary.
The current case being investigated by the JSC against Azmiralda is an allegation that she influenced Criminal Court judges following her husband Dr. Ismail Latheef's arrest.
Azmiralda denies these allegations and categorised the claims as baseless.