Parliament Dismisses Supreme Court Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz

The People’s Majlis today voted to remove Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir from the bench, passing the Judiciary Committee’s report recommending their dismissal. 

A total of 68 members of parliament voted in favour of the motion, while 11 voted against it.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The decision has sparked debate within both government and opposition ranks, with criticism over the process and concerns about judicial independence growing louder.

Parliamentary Debate and Division

During today’s session, Ahmed Azaan, the MP for Central Hithadhoo constituency and a member of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC), took a strong stance against the Judiciary Committee’s report. In his speech, Azaan warned that Parliament was repeating past mistakes by allowing politically motivated actions to influence judicial affairs.

“The Judicial Service Commission has not proceeded with the removal of the Supreme Court judges in the manner prescribed. The hearings related to this case are confidential, and the hearings conducted by the Parliamentary Judiciary Committee to examine the JSC report was also confidential,”Ahmed Azaan, the MP for Central Hithadhoo constituency

He said that even though they have the supermajority, they should not be doing everything just because they can. 

“However,  just because some others have done this in the past, does not mean we should be repeating it, evading justice, which is against the oath that we took,” he said.

Azaan, who did not vote today, has frequently opposed government-led legislative initiatives, including proposed constitutional amendments. He has also been removed from key committees due to his dissenting views. pic.twitter.com/nMzriyO8Ok— MV+ (@mvplusmedia) May 14, 2025

Azaan, who did not vote today, has frequently opposed government-led legislative initiatives, including proposed constitutional amendments. He has also been removed from key committees due to his dissenting views.

Concerns Over Due Process

Criticism over the dismissal process has come from multiple quarters, with allegations that the justices were denied a fair opportunity to defend themselves.

The main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), stated that the judges were not given a platform to respond to the accusations at the committee stage. The parliamentary judiciary committee reportedly restricted the justices from submitting a defence or presenting their side publicly.

In a further blow to the credibility of the process, the Counsel General of Parliament, Fathimath Filza, also expressed concern over the removal of the justices, questioning whether it was conducted in line with constitutional safeguards.

Moreover, the judges themselves are said to have refused to acknowledge the evidence presented against them, raising further doubts over the transparency and fairness of the proceedings.

Background: Allegations of Misconduct

The disciplinary case stems from allegations that Justice Azmiralda sought to influence legal proceedings in a criminal case involving her husband, who was arrested in connection with alleged illegal activities at a spa. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) claimed that she used her position as a Supreme Court justice to interfere with the investigation — a charge she has strongly denied.

Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, meanwhile, is accused of attempting to influence the same case by contacting a Criminal Court judge. He, too, denies any wrongdoing.

The decision by the JSC has been widely criticised for lacking fairness and transparency. According to several MPs and legal observers, the committee denied both justices the opportunity to submit evidence or speak in their defence.

Despite a formal request by the judges to appear befor, the panel declined to hear their testimony. The committee later stated that even if the justices had presented evidence, it would not have changed the outcome — a declaration that has been slammed by critics as prejudicial and deeply troubling.

The JSC’s inquiry initially included Justice Husnu Al Suood, but he resigned from the bench before a formal review could take place.

Following its investigation, the JSC recommended the dismissal of Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz and forwarded the matter to the People’s Majlis. The judiciary committee endorsed the recommendation, which led to today’s decisive parliamentary vote.

Timing Raises Suspicions of Political Motives

Opposition MPs from the MDP have strongly criticised the dismissals, claiming the timing was designed to influence an ongoing Supreme Court case concerning constitutional amendments. The case, submitted by former Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain, challenges the legality of recent amendments passed by Parliament.

According to MDP lawmakers, the suspension of Justices Azmiralda, Mahaz, and previously, Husnu Al Suood, came just days before the case was due to be heard by the full bench. They argue that removing or incapacitating judges ahead of such a crucial case undermines judicial independence and constitutes a serious breach of democratic norms.