The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to request the Parliament of the Maldives to dismiss High Court judges Abdul Rauf Ibrahim and Abdulla Hameed.
JSC made the decision after investigating a complaint accusing the two judges of violating Article 152 of the Constitution of the Maldives by accepting government-issued flats at special prices after agreeing to issue a particular verdict in a court case. The commission stated that the government had given the flats directly to the judges without any involvement from the Parliament and that it violates Article 152 of the Constitution, which states that Judges shall be paid such salary and allowances in keeping with the stature of their office as determined by the Parliament.
JSC highlighted that the Parliament has not made special arrangements for the accommodation of judges and that the flats were not given in accordance with any established rules or regulations. Therefore, it stated that Judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim and Judge Abdulla Hameed had violated the Constitution by accepting the flats and that they have also violated the code of conduct of judges by taking action that undermines the public’s trust in the judiciary. Due to these reasons, JSC stated it has made the decision to request the dismissal of both judges.