Commission recommends probe into Daud's role in Yumnu fall

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the fall of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed has recommended further investigation into the conduct of Presidential Undersecretary Daud Ahmed Zilal, citing discrepancies in his statements and possible obstruction of the inquiry.

The incident occurred on 18 April, when Yumnu was found injured on the rooftop of a house in Malé. Following the incident, Daud was suspended from his position as Undersecretary for Digital Strategy at the President’s Office and removed from the Youth Council.

Yumnu had gone to the building with Daud’s younger brother, Raud Ahmed Zilal, who later tested positive for drugs. Raud’s passport was subsequently seized.

In the days following the incident, videos and images of Daud allegedly using drugs and alcohol surfaced on social media. Public protests were held, calling for his dismissal, after which he was suspended.

According to the commission’s report, made public Tuesday, Daud’s statements to police and the commission contained multiple contradictions.

Daud told the commission that:

However, the commission found that Daud had contacted Home Minister Ali Ihusan multiple times on 18 April. Communication records show that Daud shared information about Raud and discussed his arrest with the Minister.

The report also reveals that Daud contacted then Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau and Assistant Commissioner Abdulla Shareef, who heads the Central Investigation Command, after being informed by the Minister that journalists were outside his residence.

The commission also noted inconsistencies between Daud’s version of events and those provided by his associates. While Raud claimed to have returned home unaccompanied after the incident, two witnesses stated that Daud had gone downstairs to look for Raud.

The commission stated that these inconsistencies indicate possible withholding of information relevant to the investigation. It further noted that Raud had informed Daud of Yumnu’s fall, but Daud failed to report it.

The report concluded that Raud’s negligence in the incident was compounded by the actions of Daud and others who were in contact with Raud at H. Maaira following the fall.

The commission described the delay in providing medical assistance to Yumnu as inhumane and recommended further investigation by the relevant authorities.

Providing false statements to official institutions is a criminal offence under the Penal Code. It carries a minimum penalty of four months and 24 days in jail, with a maximum penalty of up to one year.

The commission has accused Daud of giving false statements and confirmed that he remains under suspension. The President’s Office has not issued an official statement on his status.

In connection with the same case, Izdian Mohamed Maumoon, who was serving as the Strategic Communications Undersecretary at the President’s Office, was dismissed from his post.