Raudh Zilal Faces Charge for Failing to Assist Injured Woman

Raudh Ahmed Zilal, the main suspect in the widely followed case of a 21-year-old woman who fell from the ninth floor of a building in Male’, has been formally charged with failing to assist a person in danger without justifiable reason.

According to the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office, the charge stems from Raudh’s failure to take any action despite having knowledge of the woman’s fall. He neither helped the victim nor alerted emergency services or authorities, according to the police.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The legal punishment for this offence ranges from six days to one month in jail. Raudh had already spent more than a month in custody when the PG Office advised his release on May 26. Public Prosecutor and PG Office spokesperson Ahmed Shafeeu explained that suspects are typically released when their remand exceeds the likely sentence they face.

Raudh was arrested on April 24, six days after the woman was found critically injured on the rooftop of a warehouse near Fentoniya in Henveiru. He remained in custody for over a month, with his remand extended multiple times by the Criminal Court.

Despite a 20-day remand order issued on May 20, Raudh was released on May 22, citing procedural issues. He was re-arrested later the same day under a fresh court order. His legal team criticised the authorities for disregarding two valid court orders, and his brief release led to the cancellation of a scheduled High Court hearing.

Police suspect Raudh was intoxicated during the incident and allege elements of sexual exploitation may be involved, though no further charges have yet been filed.

The case has sparked national outrage, especially after it was revealed that Raudh is the younger brother of Daudh Ahmed Zilal, the Under Secretary for Digital Strategy at the President’s Office. Daudh was suspended without pay following public criticism.

Seven other individuals linked to the incident have had their passports seized and remain under travel restrictions. Reports suggest several were present at a gathering in an apartment belonging to Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen the night the incident occurred. A no-confidence motion filed by the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) against Minister Ameen was later dismissed by Parliament.

The injured woman was initially treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ before being transferred to Malaysia for further treatment on April 26. 

The case has led to youth-led protests demanding justice, transparency, and accountability, with growing public concern over political interference and the influence of high-profile figures in the investigation.