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Top court bench to be increased from five to seven justices

Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath has stated that amendment to the Courts Act will be submitted this week to increase Supreme Court bench from five to seven judges.

Although the Supreme Court was originally established with a 7-judge bench in 2010, the number was decreased to five in 2014. Due to the revision, then Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain and Justice Ahmed Muthasim were dismissed from the bench.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, AG Riffath confirmed that the amendment will be officially submitted this week.

During the conference, the AG Office publicized the government's legislative agenda for the next five years. The agenda includes several changes to the constitution as well as massive changes to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Riffath provided details on the bill to be presented to the parliament this week, which aims to bring amendments to the JSC Act.

Speaking on the bill, AG Riffath while the current laws makes it difficult for the JSC to look into complaints filed against judges, the amendment to the JSC Act aims to resolve the current issues faced in investigating complaints against judges.

It is a key ledge of the government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to reform the judiciary through amending the JSC Act.