Police arrested a former TVM producer on charges of grooming and sexually abusing a minor, and possession of child sexual abuse material. The suspect, 37-year-old Moosaal Mueen of GDh. Fiyoree, was arrested on March 26 and remanded for 15 days. Mueen, who produced children’s programs for TVM, was dismissed from the station after the case surfaced four months ago.
Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed urged the public and scholars to protect the Maldives' religious unity amid an ongoing Sunni-Shia debate, warning against spreading sectarian beliefs in ways that could mislead the public. Shaheem called on citizens to remain vigilant against efforts to divide the Muslim community along ideological lines, and advised that only qualified scholars should speak on matters of sectarian doctrine.
Police denied media reports that newly appointed Professional Standards Command head Assistant Commissioner Hussein Rasheed had faced disciplinary action a decade ago, stating that records show no complaints, investigations, or disciplinary measures have ever been taken against him. Police insisted that his appointment followed all established procedures.
The Human Rights Commission launched an investigation into the death of six year-old Azaan Suhail, who died at IGMH after an eight-month delay in obtaining a feeding tube through STO and NSPA. Azaan, who had spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, needed a PEG tube replacement, but by the time a private donor sourced one, his condition had deteriorated beyond the point where it could be inserted. HRCM is examining whether the state upheld constitutional rights to life and healthcare, and will report its findings to relevant authorities and parliament.
The Housing Ministry began handing over plots in Hulhumalé's Phase 3 under the Binvereya scheme, with 15 plots distributed today following boundary demarcation. Agreements have so far been signed with 337 of the eligible recipients, with handovers continuing as more agreements are finalised. A total of 698 plots ranging from 1650 to 4000 square feet will be allocated in the area.
The Auditor General's Office flagged that MVR 31.9 million (US$ 2.07 million) of the Transport Ministry's 2021 recorded revenue cannot be verified as accurate, citing systemic failures across multiple revenue collection portals. Auditors found that the ministry relied on BML gateway reports rather than its own ePortal to reconcile revenue, while receipt numbers and dates were found to change when regenerated, making it impossible to confirm which financial year transactions belonged to. The audit recommends upgrading revenue portals to generate daily and monthly reports, and reconciling portal totals against bank deposits before finalising financial statements.
The Supreme Court rebuffed suggestions that the upcoming referendum on holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections conceals a shortening of parliament's term. Justice Hussein Shaheed challenged MDP lawyers to clarify what was being concealed, given the bill is publicly available on parliament's website. MDP lawyers argued voters should not need to read the bill to understand its implications, and that the ballot question must explicitly state that the current parliament's term will be cut short by approximately six months. The Chief Justice said the next hearing will only be held if further clarification is needed, otherwise the court will proceed directly to a ruling. The state argued that the Constitution does not specify how referendum questions must be worded, and that discretion rests with the President under the referendum law. MDP lawyers countered that since the bill shortens the current parliament's term by six months, the ballot question must explicitly reflect this so voters can make an informed decision.
The Bank of Maldives broke ground on 300 affordable housing units in Vilimalé, comprising three 17-storey towers with 900 sq ft three-bedroom apartments. Construction, awarded to RCC, is expected to be completed by mid-2028. The Vilimalé project follows the launch of 1224 units in Hulhumalé last week, bringing BML's total affordable housing pipeline to 3260 units across Hulhumalé 1, Hulhumalé 2, and Vilimalé under a lease-to-own model.
The Privatisation and Corporatisation Board deflected an RTI request from Adhadhu for SOE directors' financial statements by referring it to the Finance Ministry, despite the RTI Act requiring disclosure of information already in its possession. Under the SOE Directors' Code of Conduct, all directors must submit financial statements to the PCB and publish them on company websites by January 31 each year, but many have missed the deadline. The request, filed by Adhadhu, sought details on which companies complied, which directors filed or failed to file, and copies of submitted statements — none of which have been provided.
The Prosecutor General's office released two men charged with leading a major drug trafficking and money laundering network in Fuvahmulah, just days before the April 4 local council elections and referendum, Adhadhu reported. Hassan Aazim, 29, and Ahmed Niushad, 34, faced charges of running an organised crime network that laundered MVR 27.7 million (US$1.8 million) between 2019 and 2024, with prosecutors previously seeking forfeiture of five cars, two pickups, a vessel and MVR 1.1 million (US$72,000) in bank funds. The PG's office has not explained the reason for the release, and the move has drawn public criticism, particularly as six suspects from a similar drug network in Addu City were also recently released ahead of the same election.
Bank of Maldives posted a net profit of US$ 162.14 million in 2025, up 9.87 percent year-on-year, CEO Mohamed Shareef announced. The bank's USD foreign exchange sales to individuals and businesses rose 70 percent to USD 36.64 million, while TT dollar issuance jumped from 5 percent to 50 percent. BML also issued a record USD 648.51 million in new loans to individuals and SMEs, the highest single-year lending volume in the bank's history.
The Badminton Association approved a US$ 674,448 annual budget at its first AGM since regaining legal status after a two-year suspension, with plans covering domestic tournaments across atolls, new court construction, and international competition. The national team will compete in six BWF international tournaments this year, beginning with the South Asian Regional Junior Championship in Pakistan in April, and including the 20th Asian Games.