Police investigate cyberbullying of student by schoolmates

Police have launched an investigation into allegations that a group of school students bullied another student online.

Police said on Sunday that the case involved students from an island within the Central Police jurisdiction.

The investigation is being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities, police said.

No further details about the incident have been disclosed.

The investigation comes as the government works on legislation to make bullying a criminal offence.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu previously announced that the government had begun drafting a dedicated anti-bullying law aimed at preventing bullying and strengthening legal action against those responsible.

Speaking at a press conference in April, the President said bullying affected people of all ages, from young children to adults.

He said the government had already introduced measures to address the issue and intended to take further action.

"The existing legal framework also provides avenues for taking action in cases involving bullying," President Muizzu said.

He noted that amendments to the Penal Code in 2024 had criminalised cyber violence, including cyberstalking.

The President said the proposed anti-bullying legislation would introduce further measures to prevent bullying and strengthen action against offenders.

"We have now begun work on introducing specific legislation, an anti-bullying law, to further prevent such acts through the legal system, introduce preventive measures and strengthen action against those responsible," he said.

The proposed law will define acts constituting bullying and establish provisions covering schools, educational institutions, workplaces and healthcare facilities.

The President said the legislation would address bullying involving students and employees of educational institutions, as well as workers and people receiving services in other settings.

The bill will also include provisions specifically addressing online bullying.

According to the President, the government intends to develop policies to prevent bullying in schools and educational institutions, establish procedures for taking action against students involved in bullying and introduce mechanisms for reporting incidents.

He also said bullying prevention would be incorporated into the formal education curriculum.