Court dismisses case to declare missing person dead over search

The L. Maavah Magistrate’s Court has dismissed a case filed to confirm the death of Ali Mushfiq Mohamed Shareef, who went missing after a cargo vessel caught fire and sank in April.

Mushfiq, 25, from L. Maavah, was on board the Holhudhoo Boat, which sank on the night of 2 April while travelling from Thaa Atoll to Malé.

Following the incident, Mushfiq was reported missing. A week later, plans were made to conduct a funeral in his absence. However, the burial was postponed based on advice from Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, pending a court ruling on whether the death could be legally confirmed.

Mushfiq’s father, Mohamed Shareef, filed the case at the Maavah Magistrate’s Court seeking legal recognition of his son’s death. The court, after more than a month of consideration, dismissed the case on the grounds that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) had not concluded its search efforts.

According to the court's decision, the MNDF informed the court that the search for Mushfiq was ongoing and had not been officially terminated.

The court stated: “It does not appear to be in the best interest and proper at this time to proceed further with the case filed by Mohamed Shareef seeking to prove the death of Ali Mushfiq Mohamed Shareef while the MNDF continues its search for him.”