The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has concluded its investigation into alleged judicial misconduct and has recommended that Parliament consider the removal of Supreme Court Judges Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir from their positions.

The recommendation follows an official inquiry into allegations that both judges attempted to influence proceedings in a lower court. The investigation specifically examined claims that the judges sought to intervene in a detention hearing overseen by Criminal Court Judge Ibrahim Zihunee. This hearing concerned Judge Azmiralda's spouse, who was in custody at the time of the incident.

According to the commission's assessment, Judge Azmiralda allegedly communicated regarding her husband's case through Criminal Court Judge Sofwath Habeeb, who is reportedly a family relation of Judge Mahaz. The JSC has determined that these actions may constitute a contravention of established judicial ethical standards.

In accordance with constitutional protocols, the matter has now been forwarded to Parliament for further deliberation. The parliamentary process involves a committee review to verify procedural compliance, followed by a plenary vote. Similar constitutional mechanisms were previously utilised during the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration, resulting in the removal of several Supreme Court justices.

Additionally, the JSC has initiated a separate investigation involving the same two judges regarding their presence at a meeting during which former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood reportedly engaged in conduct that was perceived as disrespectful toward the then-High Court Registrar. Justice Husnu Suood subsequently tendered his resignation.