Policeman arrested in vape, drug case claims didn't take oath
Sajid told the court he attended the swearing-in ceremony but did not take the oath, citing personal reservations.
A police special constable arrested in GDh. Thinadhoo on charges of vape and drug trafficking has claimed in court that he never took the police oath.
Police Special Constable Mohamed Sajid Ahmed was arrested last month following a search of his residence. Police allege that Sajid possessed and sold vape products, including to minors, and that 191.92 grams of drugs meeting drug trafficking thresholds were recovered from his home.
The case reached the High Court after the Thinadhoo Magistrate’s Court ruled the arrest unlawful, stating that a search warrant could not be obtained for a civil offence and that violations under the Tobacco Control Act constituted civil rather than criminal offences.
Prosecutors have appealed, arguing that while vape-related offences are civil, a police officer committing acts prohibited by law in breach of official duties constitutes obstructing the administration of law under the Penal Code.
During the High Court hearing, Sajid’s lawyer, Ahmed Yameen, said his client had not taken the police oath. Sajid told the court he attended the swearing-in ceremony but did not take the oath, citing personal reservations.
"There was a constabulary oath ceremony and I went there. But I didn’t take the oath. I was there. I was a little scared because it was an oath where I had to swear by Allah," Sajid said.
The court noted that Sajid had signed the appointment letter, which included the oath. Presiding Justice Mohammed Niaz criticised the statement as an attempt to mislead the court, questioning why Sajid was now denying the oath.
The High Court bench hearing the case comprised Justice Niyaz, Justice Hussain Mazeed, and Justice Dheebanaz Fahmy.
