Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions has decided last night to offer Vice President of Broadcasting Commission Mohamed Fazeen an additional opportunity to respond to the sexual harassment allegations raised against him.
Fazeen is accused of sexually harassing a female member of staff of the commission.
Earlier, the committee summoned both Fazeen and the victim and questioned both on the case.
However, to date, not action has been taken in regards to the case. Fazeen continues to report to work while the case remains stalled at the committee. This has given rise to concerns amongst staff of the commission, including the victim.
Although the committee meeting agenda did not specify which case they were meeting to discuss last night, some members of the committee have confirmed that it was regarding this case of sexual harassment.
The meeting, which lasted about three minutes, had Maafushi MP Hussain Riza Adam state that the accused has requested for an additional chance to respond to the allegations. The committee unanimously passed the motion to allow Fazeen the additional opportunity.
The committee also passed a motion to send the case to the parliament floor to pass that the committee is looking into this case and to decide on how the case will be proceeded.
As per parliament regulations, a decision to dismiss a member of an independent institution can be taken only after the committee gets approval from parliament floor to look into the related case.
Last week, members of the Broadcasting Commission were also summoned to the committee in relation to this case. All committee meetings regarding the case have so far been held closed, citing as a reason that an individual's personal information is being shared in the meetings.
The victim has previously said that she has faced repeated harassment from Fazeen at the office.
She has said that with delays in resolving the case, she is now facing psychological trauma in the form of depression and panic attacks.