Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has made the decision to hear top court Judge Abdulla Didi's disciplinary cases in open sittings, as requested by the judge.
The six commission members who participated in Monday's JSC sitting agreed to hear the case in an open setting as soon as a location that would allow the sitting to be conducted publicly is arranged.
Speaking to the press following the meeting, JSC revealed that five disciplinary issues against the Judge are being looked into by the commission.
The commission also revealed that while complaints against several judges are being investigated in addition to that of Judge Didi, a complaint against three Supreme Court justices have also been filed at the commission. However, the commission did not reveal details of the matter.
Supreme Court Justice Abdulla Didi was summoned late Monday night to the JSC. He was summoned to record his statement regarding two disciplinary cases filed against him at the commission, said JSC.
JSC during Monday's meeting made the decision to look into Judge Didi attending to official duties despite being suspended by the commission, and will identify if a disciplinary issue needs to be pursued as a subsequent result of his defiance.
Last week, JSC made the decision to suspend the judge after the police notified the commission of an ongoing criminal investigation involving the judge. The commission is mandated to take action against a judge within 48 hours in case of criminal allegations.
The commission was also notified of a second police investigation involving the judge, and the commission is in the process of identifying if any disciplinary issues are involved in the matter.
However, three commission members have recused from the matter - Supreme Court Justice and President of JSC Abdulla Areef, and commission members Abdul Hannan Ahmed and Latheefa Gasim.
Judge Didi denied allegations against him and filed a constitutional dispute at the Supreme Court, requesting to dismiss his suspension. The top court then issued a stay order on his suspension, ordering all authorities not to take any action against the judge. However, the JSC made the decision to maintain the suspension, stating that the Supreme Court order obstructs the commission's legal obligations.
Since then, the judicial committee of the parliament has backed JSC's decision and will be recommending the parliament to resolve that the JSC's decision was within the law.
In response to the committee's decision, the Supreme Court issued a second order, declaring that all action taken based on the JSC's decision defying Supreme Court orders will be invalid.
