Judicial watchdog suspends Kaafu atoll chief magistrate

The Judicial Service Commission has suspended Kaafu atoll Chief Magistrate Mohamed Raqib while allegations of criminal conduct being made against him are investigated.

The JSC is looking into several claims of misconduct, including an ethical issue of a criminal nature, the commission said on Monday. The judicial watchdog added that they had asked the police to investigate the matter.

“The Judicial Service Commission suspended Raqib to ensure he does not interfere with our investigation,” a press statement by the commission said. 

Raqib, who has been a magistrate for 27 years, is no stranger to controversy. He was kicked off a law diploma course in 2010 after being caught cheating in an exam. 

Speaking to the Maldives Independent, Raqib denied any wrongdoing and insisted the allegations being made against him were politically motivated. 

“I have never had an issue like this before. They are trying to sack me because I did not succumb to political pressure. I get calls everyday from politician and government official asking for favours,” he said. 

Meanwhile, parliament recently voted to dismiss Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo island Magistrate Ibrahim Rasheed after he was found guilty of humiliating a woman in public. 

The JSC is also investigating Supreme Court Justice Abdulla Didi and Chief Judge of the Family Court Hassan Saeed.

Didi is accused of taking a US$1 million bribe to sentence former President Mohamed Nasheed to 13 years in jail.

He is also suspected of receiving stolen money from the MVR1.3 billion Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation corruption scam on several occasions.

Saeed is accused of obstructing an internal investigation into sexual harassment against a female employee of the court.