Motion calls for action against Supreme Court interference

A resolution calling for action to be taken against the Supreme Court if it exceeds its legal remit was submitted to parliament on Wednesday, as the battle between the judiciary and legislature intensifies.

The resolution was submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Hisaan Hussain, who also represents parliament on the Judicial Service Commission.

“The Supreme Court’s order is an unwarranted and an arbitrary intrusion… into the sovereign powers of the legislative body appointed by the people,” Hisaan said after submitting the motion.

The Supreme Court and parliament clashed after the apex court issued a stay on the JSC’s suspension of Justice Abdulla Didi.

Parliament then ruled that the court’s order was unconstitutional.

However, a defiant Supreme Court issued another order dismissing parliament’s and the judicial watchdog’s decisions.

Didi is accused of taking a US$1 million bribe to sentence former President Mohamed Nasheed to 13 years in jail and of receiving money from the $90 million embezzlement of resort acquisition fees in 2015.

On Monday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih entered the fray, signalling his support for the JSC and parliament.

“The constitution clearly defines how the Judicial Service Commission shall be held responsible; which is by summoning the commission to parliament and taking necessary actions through parliament,” Solih said in a statement.

Didi, meanwhile, has been summoned to appear before the JSC for a public hearing at the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Hall in Malé on Thursday morning.

Didi was promoted to the Supreme Court in June 2018 after two justices were removed from the bench.

Before his promotion to the top court, Didi was chief judge of the High Court, an appointment he took up in February 2016.