The Parliament has voted to remove two Supreme Court justices following findings by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) regarding their conduct. The dismissed justices, Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, were accused of improperly influencing lower court proceedings.
The decision was reached in separate votes during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, with each removal approved by 68 members. The process followed a determination by the JSC, which, under the Constitution, is authorised to recommend the removal of a judge if it finds the individual incapable of holding office or guilty of misconduct.
The Parliament's Judiciary Committee reviewed the JSC's report and found no procedural irregularities in the removal process. Its findings aligned with the JSC's conclusions, affirming that all necessary procedures had been followed in assessing the judges' conduct.
Central to the disciplinary action were allegations that the two justices had improperly influenced lower court judges in relation to the detention of Dr Ismail Latheef, the husband of Justice Azmiralda. Latheef was taken into police custody on 4 April 2025. The JSC determined that Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz had exerted influence through Criminal Court Judge Safath Habeeb on Judge Ibrahim Zihuny, who was presiding over Latheef's detention case in the Criminal Court.
The commission's investigation concluded that the actions of the two justices violated the Constitution, the Judicature Act, and the Code of Conduct for Judges. Based on these findings, the JSC recommended that parliament take action regarding their positions in accordance with judicial disciplinary laws.
During parliamentary deliberations, several members voiced support for the judiciary committee's findings, asserting that the influence exerted by the justices had been substantiated. Under the Constitution, a judge may only be removed if the decision is passed by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. The removal of both Justice Azmiralda and Justice Mahaz met this threshold, with each receiving 68 votes in favour.