JSC unaware of Supreme Court Judge's departure to Singapore

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has said that it was unaware when Supreme Court Judge Abdulla Saeed departed to Singapore to take part in the GMR arbitration hearings, as an expert from the State.

Judges Act of the Maldives requires sitting judges to seek consent of the State's primary judicial oversight body before taking part in any legal or judicial matter beyond of their designated courts.

Shuaib Abdul Rahman, JSC member in-charge of reviewing applications by judges to take part in out-of-court activities, said that he did not receive a request from Judge Abdulla Saeed to take part in the GMR arbitration hearings.

“The commission has entrusted me to give leave to judges. I was not aware that (Judge Abdulla Saeed) left the country,” Shuaib said.