JSC investigation into violation of right to counsel

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has begun investigating an ethics case against S. Maradhoo-Feydhoo senior magistrate Ibrahim Nafees Hussain. 

A statement issued by the commission today read that an investigative committee had been formed to inquire about the case against the magistrate over allegations that the magistrate did not provide a defendant in a case with the right to appoint a lawyer. 

The accused case cites a violation of Article 53 of the Constitution which provides every person with the right to appoint legal representatives. 

Previous cases and decisions of the lower courts have been overruled upon appeal for similar violations of the Constitution.