JSC decides not to look into the case against Chief Judge of High Court

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided not to investigate the case filed yesterday by the eight sitting judges of the High Court against Chief Judge of High Court Ahmed Shareef.

A member of the JSC told Sun Online on the condition of anonymity, that it was decided during a meeting held at JSC today that the commission would not proceed with the case against Shareef.

He said that the members of JSC cited conflict of interest as a reason for this decision, as JSC was the institution that constituted the Hulhumale’ Court bench. The members also said that the issue is related to the procedures of the courts, and thus can only be investigated after the Supreme Court makes its decision.

The member of JSC who provided information to Sun Online said that today’s meeting was attended by 7 out of 10 JSC members. Six members voted against investigating the case against Shareef, while one member voted in favour of investigating this case.

The case against Shareef states that he issued a stay order on the trial against former President Mohamed Nasheed without registering the case, assigning a case number, or discussing the matter with other judges.

The JSC member told Sun Online that the JSC members noted at today’s meeting that orders are often issued by the Supreme Court and other courts in this manner; that is, without assigning a case number and with the signature of a single judge.