Presidential Commission Questions Raudh Over Woman’s Fall

Presidential Commission established to investigate the fall of a 21-year-old woman from the ninth floor of a building in Male’ said they met with Raudh Ahmed Zilal, 21, today regarding the incident. 

The Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Incident that Occurred in Malé on 18 April 2025 was established on April 27, ten days after the incident occurred. Today, on X, the commission said they met with Raud, the person the woman was seen with before her fall.  

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Yesterday, the commission said the commission members have visited the locations relevant to the investigation and met with officials and some relevant authorities as well. They have also interviewed several people about the investigation. 

The Commission met with Raud Ahmed Zilal today for questioning regarding the incident under inquiry.— Inquiry Commission (@InquiryCom) May 12, 2025

Last Thursday, the commission launched an online portal to which citizens can submit videos, photos, or messages related to the investigation. However, the portal is accessible via e-Faas, and anonymous submissions cannot be made. Regarding this, the commission has said that if a person wishes to provide information without using the portal, they can submit it in person. 

“The identity of persons providing such information will be protected,” the commission said. 

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 H. 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.

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 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.

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 police claim Fenotoniya is a house neither of them had any connection with, and only entered because it was unlocked. However, her family says, she has told them the couple went to the house at the invitation of Yoosuf Yassar Abdulgafoor, one of the seven others at a party with the couple earlier that evening.

Including Yassar’s, the passports of these seven individuals 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 in the first weekend of May.