Judicial watchdog suspends criminal court judge

The judicial watchdog has suspended Criminal Court Judge Ahmed Rasheed pending an inquiry into complaints of ethical misconduct.

In a brief statement issued Thursday, the Judicial Service Commission was put on a forced leave of absence “because the witnesses submitted in relation to this complaint are some judges and staff of the criminal court, the [investigating] committee believes the chances of influencing witnesses will be high if the subject of the complaint, Judge Ahmed Rasheed, is able to report to work”.

The judge will remain suspended until the committee submits its investigation report to the JSC, it added.

Rasheed, who gave a statement to the JSC inquiry on Wednesday, was formerly a member of the 10-member oversight body for the judiciary as the representatives of licensed lawyers.