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High Court Chief Judge Shujau Usman resigns

Chief Judge of the High Court of the Maldives Shujau Usman has resigned amid dismissal motion launched against him by Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

JSC forwarded the dismissal motion of Shujau Usman to the Parliament of the Maldives, upon the completion of the investigation against him on August 17. He was investigated on multiple accusations raised against him with regards to his conduct as a judge.

The accusations raised against Shujau Usman include conducting an unofficial trip to Gemanafushi, Gaafu Alifu Atoll in 2018 to gather support for a candidate contesting in the 2018 presidential elections. He is also accused of offering to free an individual remanded under a Criminal Court order in return for votes from the family of the remanded individual.

Furthermore, Shujau Usman is also accused of conducting a certain trial in violation of the special regulations set on conducting videoconference trials amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The judge has also been accused of fast-tracking a certain case over several other pending cases in order to provide a financial benefit for somebody.

Shujau Usman was appointed as the Chief Judge of the High Court by in August 2018.