The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has suspended Criminal Court Judge Hussain Faiz Rashad for 60 days in connection with an ongoing investigation into two separate cases.

According to the JSC, the suspension relates to Judge Faiz’s handling of two high-profile cases. These cases are one involving the release of a man accused of leading a major drug smuggling operation into the Maldives, and another concerning the custody status of a suspect awaiting trial in a murder case.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has reportedly raised concerns regarding Judge Faiz’s conduct in both matters, with the decisions now being reviewed at a higher level.

The JSC stated that the 60-day suspension marks the longest period of suspension imposed on a sitting judge in connection with a disciplinary inquiry.

Investigations into the cases are ongoing.