Supreme Court reveals Judge Abdulla Areef had taken over the court proceedings in the absence of the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.
Judge Abdulla Areef took over the Supreme Court proceedings, following the decision of Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to suspend Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed due to his alleged role and involvement in a coup attempt, bribing parliamentarians, judges and influencing judicial rulings.
In the absence of Chief Justice, the court proceedings should be taken over by the most senior judge present, according to the Judicature Act of Maldives. A circular issued by Supreme Court said documents and letters sent to Department Judicial Administration must therefore be addressed to Judge Abdulla Areef.
In addition to Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, JSC has also suspended Judge Ali Hameed due to his alleged role and involvement in a coup attempt, bribing parliamentarians, judges and influencing judicial rulings.