The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to appoint former judge Abdulla Rauf Ibrahim and Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu to the High Court bench.

Following the JSC’s announcement for vacancies at the High Court, 19 candidates applied for the positions. The application window was opened on December 14 last year and concluded on December 21.

The two vacancies on the High Court bench arose following the retirement of long-serving Judge Mohamed Niyaz on December 9, and the resignation of Judge Mohamed Faisal in November last year.

Rauf, one of the newly appointed judges, had previously resigned from the judiciary while a disciplinary case against him was pending. He also contested the 19th Parliamentary Elections for the Keyodhoo constituency on a PNC ticket, though he was unsuccessful in that bid.