MP seeks to question Ihsan on woman's fall probe
Home Minister questioned on investigation into Yumnu's fall
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Home Minister Ali Ihsan has been asked whether police are currently conducting a criminal investigation into the fall of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed from the roof of H. Mitazge.
Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim raised the question in relation to the findings of the Presidential Commission on the incident. A member of parliament submitted a written question asking whether police are investigating those identified in the commission’s report and inquiring into the progress of the investigation.
According to the President’s Office, the President has instructed relevant ministries and the Maldives Police Service to take appropriate action based on the commission’s findings.
The commission’s report highlighted procedural failures by both the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Homeland Security. It also listed concerns about police handling of the incident, including:
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A delay of one hour in informing the investigating officer from the police command centre, which resulted in the officer arriving at the scene after the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) had processed evidence.
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The SOCO did not fully process all areas of the crime scene and left the location within a short period.
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No attempt was made to collect evidence from the roof of Mitazge. The boundaries of the crime scene were not clearly defined, and the scene was not adequately secured.
The President has directed the police to review their standard operating procedures, enhance training, and strengthen procedures to prevent similar occurrences. The President also instructed an internal investigation into employee negligence and to take necessary disciplinary measures.
In addition to police procedures, the commission reviewed the actions of IGMH and the Family Protection Unit (FPU) regarding medical examination following the incident. The report found:
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The FPU staff did not visit the ICU to check for signs of sexual assault.
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Even in the absence of FPU staff, medical staff should have carried out the examination if requested by the victim’s family.
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IGMH’s FPU requires strengthened administrative systems to ensure timely response.
The President has asked the Ministry of Health to improve the administrative structure of both IGMH and the FPU.
In connection with the case, Undersecretary of the President’s Office Daud was removed from his post following issues raised in the commission’s report. He had previously been suspended.
Although four months have passed since the incident, police have not yet taken a statement from Yumnu, according to police sources.
