No Police Wrongdoing in Woman’s Fall Investigation, Says Minister Ihusan

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan said last night that they have not yet identified any wrongdoing by the police in the investigation of the woman who fell from the ninth floor of a building to a warehouse rooftop on April 18. 

Minister Ihusan said this during the fifth instalment of Ahaa Forum, a platform where high-ranking government officials answer questions from the public. During last night’s forum, the minister was asked about the ongoing investigation into the fall of the 21-year-old woman from Henveiru Fentoniya and what influence was preventing the police from arresting everyone related to this case. He was also asked if the minister felt he needed to resign from his position.

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The minister condemned the public rumours surrounding the case, calling them horrific. He specifically referred to early claims that the woman had been abducted, raped, and thrown from a building—allegations that, he said, proved to be false after an initial investigation. He added that from that point on, they released details about this case earlier than they would in similar cases.

When asked whether he believes the police have performed their duties appropriately, Minister Ihusan noted that a few independent organisations are responsible for reviewing police conduct and ensuring accountability.

“The police are still working on this within the established standards,” he said.

He said they would take action as soon as they confirmed any misconduct or malpractice was involved.

“If I don’t take proper action, I believe that is the reason for actions being taken against me,” he said, answering whether he believes he should resign from his position.

The minister was asked at an earlier point during the forum as to why Raudh Ahmed Zilal, 21, the man last seen with the woman who fell, was not arrested as soon as the investigation began. He said their priority when the case was reported to them was to ensure the woman, who was injured but alive, received proper medical care. Then, from their investigations, they were able to identify Raudh and tested him for drugs and proceeded with the case as a drug use investigation. After they received additional details, they moved with his arrest, the minister said. 

“The police investigation relies on the evidence that emerges gradually. It is not about our view, it’s not about what we anticipate, or our hope,” he said.

In addition to Minister Ihusan, the Minister of Education, Dr Ismail Shafeeu, the Minister for Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Maryam Mariya, the Minister of Social and Family Development, Dr Aishath Shiyam, and the Attorney General, Uz Ahmen Usham, had participated in the forum.

The Context

On April 18, 2025, a 21-year-old woman was found on the roof of a warehouse in Henveiru, Male’. The police later revealed she fell from the ninth floor of Fentoniya around 4:30 a.m. that morning. She was reported to the police around 7:30 a.m. that morning, after which she had been receiving medical care in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), until she was sent to Malaysia on April 26 for additional medical treatment. 

She has since undergone several surgeries, including one for her spine and another for her elbow. Her family said she will have a permanent elbow injury.

Public trust in the police has declined in relation to this case, amid accusations of interference in the investigation. Many believe that those involved are the children of individuals in high-ranking positions, and that influence may have been used to obscure the case. 

Raudh Ahmed Zilal,  21, the man the woman had spent her last moments with prior to her fall, was arrested on April 24. He was initially set to be kept under state custody for five days, which was later extended by an additional ten days on April 30. On May 10, his remand was extended by five days again.

The Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Incident that Occurred in Malé on 18 April 2025 met with Raudh on May 12 to question him regarding this case.

Raudh is the younger brother of Daudh Ahmed Zilal, the Under Secretary for Digital Strategy at the President’s Office. Daudh was suspended from his position without pay on Thursday, April 25.

The passports of seven others connected to this case have been seized. They are barred from leaving the country.

The youth has been leading serial protests calling for a fair and transparent investigation into this case since Wednesday, April 24. 

Additionally, a local influencer, Shehenaz Moosa, raised over MVR 700,000 to cover her medical expenses. The youth have been holding serial protests, calling for a fair investigation into this case. Commissioner of the Police Ali Shujau resigned from his post following public pressure. The protesters have also called for the resignation of the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan, and the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen.

The parliament submitted a notice of no-confidence to Minister Ameen during the first weekend of May.