ACC refuses disclosing probe details of SC judges

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 refused disclosing the details of ongoing investigation on three Supreme Court justices.

It was reported on Wednesday, that all three apex court judges in question, have been suspended. Judicial Service Commission (JSC) suspended justices Husnu al-Suood, Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Dr. Azmiraldha Zahir.

After local reporters requested a press conference from ACC regarding the matter, the commission in a statement issued, confirmed they have received a complaint against all three judges.

The commission further said that it would investigate all individuals, without any discrimination, if corruption charges are alleged on them.

ACC added that it was acting on the discretion under the Maldives criminal justice system, through the relevant laws and regulations.

"We assure the people of conducting our investigations without any influence or bias," the statement read.

JSC in a statement on Wednesday said it had informed ACC of an ongoing criminal investigation against all three judges, and decided on suspending all three of them during the commission's meeting.

Suspension of the three Supreme Court justices had come not long after a bill on reducing the top court's judges panel from seven to five was passed at the parliament. The bill was endorsed by the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) - the ruling party.

The top court is currently hearing a case of judicial review, which was submitted requesting an annulment of the recent amendment to the Maldives Constitution regarding anti-defection.

The claimants had requested an injunction on implementing the said constitutional amendment, while a hearing on the case was scheduled for 11:00hrs on Wednesday.

The whole Supreme Court bench presided over the case. Wednesday's hearing on the said case was cancelled after the three judges were suspended.

Meanwhile, the political opposition allege the ruling party endorsed the reduction of the top court's judges panel to intimidate the judiciary.

Several professionals from the legal fraternity have expressed their concerns of potential influence to the judiciary, in light of the judges' suspension and the abrupt approval of the bill on reduction on Supreme Court judges' panel.