We have the authority to summon and question witnesses: JSC

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has said that the law gives the commission the authority to summon witnesses and obtain statements from them when investigating complaints submitted to the commission.

A statement issued by JSC tonight states that the Judicial Service Commission Act gives the commission the authority to summon witnesses and obtain statements from them following complaints regarding judges filed to the commission in accordance with the constitution.

The statement says that the witnesses summoned in this regard do not have to hold a certain form of employment, and that former Senior Deputy Editor of Sun Online Mundoo Adam Haleem was summoned to the commission under this authority of the commission stipulated in the law.

It further says that the Maldives Journalist Association (MJA), in the statement issued voicing concerns following Adam Haleem being summoned to the commission, failed to take into consideration the jurisdiction of the commission when investigating issues related to the conduct of judges. JSC called on all groups to provide due cooperation in investigating cases related to the conduct of judges, which is part of the commission’s mandate.

Adam Haleem was summoned to JSC today to request for a statement regarding an interview given by a judge included in a report published on Sun Online earlier.

Following this, MJA has raised concerns and said that being asked to reveal the source would obstruct freedom of press.