With Shaheed withdrawing, only Jameel sworn in

Abdulla Jameel Moosa, formerly a Civil Court Judge, was sworn in as a High Court judge on Sunday evening, following the withdrawal of Mohamed Shaheed's nomination.

Shaheed, who recently oversaw the political activities of the PNC and served as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Homeland Security, had applied for one of the two vacant High Court judgeships.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had selected Shaheed and Jameel from 18 candidates for the High Court judicial vacancies on the 30th of last month.

However, the decision drew criticism due to Shaheed's recent political involvement within the government. He resigned as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs on July 10th to pursue the judgeship, with nominations for the position opening on the same day.

Many have criticized this decision, viewing it as undermining the independence of the judiciary.

Shaheed submitted a letter to the JSC requesting to withdraw his nomination, a letter submitted after he was scheduled to be sworn in on Sunday evening.

The High Court judges' swearing-in ceremony proceeded solely for Jameel, who took the oath of office.

One of President Dr. Muizzu's principal pledges is to prevent any influence on the judiciary. On the day of his swearing-in, he asserted that all external influence on the judiciary had ceased with his assumption of office.

The government has also faced criticism for the sudden suspension of three Supreme Court judges while considering a constitutional amendment that would deprive Members of Parliament of their seats. The judges who were dismissed at that time made serious allegations of governmental influence on the judiciary.

However, Muizzu denies these allegations.