Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has denied violating any laws or regulations in appointing Adam Mohamed as the Acting Chief Judge of the Criminal Court of the Maldives.
Judge Adam Mohamed was appointed as Acting Chief Judge after former Chief Judge of Criminal Court Ali Rasheed was appointed to the judges’ bench of the Supreme Court of the Maldives. However, questions have been raised over the legitimacy of Adam Mohamed’s appointment as Chief Judge, as there are other more experienced judges in the court.
In response to the criticism faced over the appointment, JSC stated the commission acted in accordance to Clause 18 of the Judges Act, which describes the process to be followed by JSC in appointing a chief judge to a court when the position becomes vacant. As such, JSC said the appointment of an acting chief judge is made after considering the education, experience, track record, discipline and capability of all judges in the bench.
The commission said the rule of handing over the responsibility of overseeing day-to-day operations of the court to the next most experienced judge in the court only applies when the chief judge is on leave. Therefore, JSC said the appointment of Adam Mohamed as Acting Chief Judge of Criminal Court was made in accordance to the laws and regulations in place.
JSC condemned the false allegations made against the commission, adding such allegations are aimed to take a hit at public confidence in the commission. JSC affirmed it will undertake all of its duties and responsibilities in accordance to laws and regulations.