JSC appeals Judge Abdullah Muhammad Case

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has filed an appeal against the interim Order of the Civil Court which ordered the Commission to put on hold a disciplinary action against Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdullah Muhammad.

Civil Court Order was issued after Chief Judge Abdullah filed a case against the disciplinary decision of the Commission. The Commission decided to penalize Chief Judge for breach of disciplinary regulation for judges, but gave him time to challenge the decision as dictated by the Judicial Service Commission Act 2008.

According to the Court Order, the JSC can decide on the penalty against the Judge only after the court decides on the case filed by the Judge.

After filing an appeal against Civil Court Order with the High Court of the Maldives, the JSC said that a case involving a Superior Court judge could not be heard at another Superior Court. Both the Criminal Court and Civil Court are among the four Superior Courts in the Maldives.

The JSC appealed the case at first with the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court answered on the 19th of this month that the appeal should be taken to the High Court.