Top magistrate resigns as Parliament nears voting for impeachment

The top magistrate of H. Dh. Atoll judicial administrative sector Mohamed Mausoom has resigned as the parliament was preparing to impeach him from the post after being found guilty of acts of sexual assault and bribery among other activities.

The parliament was scheduled to vote on the matter in today’s session. Earlier, the parliament’s Judiciary Committee found that the Judicial Service Commission had completed the necessary procedures when it recommended the impeachment of the magistrate. 

Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed had announced that Mausoom had resigned today, and that voting on the matter would no longer be carried out as a result. 

Mausoom, who served at the court in H. Dh. Hirimaradhoo, was accused of accepting bribes in judicial matters and the JSC conducted an inquiry into the numerous allegations.

JSC requested the parliament to dismiss the magistrate from the post, and the Judiciary Committee found that the necessary procedure for the move was completed by the JSC. 

JSC had said that additional payments deposited to the account of the top magistrate were due to deceitful, dishonest, and corrupt reasons. The magistrate was also involved in bribery and other activities while serving in the post, said the JSC. Other violations include vulgar language used in the workplace and instances of sexual assault and harassment directed at an employee.