JSC suspends Hulhudhuffaaru Chief Magistrate for 60 days over case under investigation

The Chief Magistrate of the R. Hulhudhuffaaru Court, Ali Musthafa, has been suspended in connection with a case currently under investigation.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) said the suspension was imposed to maintain public confidence in the judiciary, based on the nature of the case being investigated and the information obtained so far.

Musthafa has been suspended for 60 days until further notice. The decision was made at the JSC meeting held on Wednesday.

Under the Judicial Service Commission Act, the JSC has the authority to suspend judges in relation to cases under investigation.

The last major suspension of judges by the JSC was in February 2024, when three Supreme Court justices were suspended as the court was preparing to begin hearings on the parliamentary seat-loss amendment. During the suspension period, Justice Husnu Al-Suood resigned from the bench.

The JSC later decided to remove Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir from the judiciary without granting them an opportunity to respond to the allegations. In May 2024, Parliament voted to dismiss the two judges, also without providing them the chance to defend themselves.

Two years after the suspension and dismissal of the three justices, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has still not disclosed the details of the case it is investigating.