Local media reported that the Bangladeshi maid was living in the apartment of Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz.

Speaking to Minivan News today, Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef confirmed that the body of a 24 year-old female had been found in an apartment on the ninth floor of Chandhanee House in Maafannu Ward. However, at time of press Haneef was unable to clarify any details of the accommodation where the body had been discovered.

He added that the deceased had been employed as a maid by the landlords of the property, but could not confirm if Housing Minister Muiz resided in or owned accommodation within the building where the body was discovered.

The housing minister was not responding to calls from Minivan News at time of press.

Haneef claimed that investigations were presently at an “initial stage” and police could not therefore disclose any more details on the case, which he said was presently being treated as a suicide for undisclosed reasons.

“I cannot reveal any more until we complete our investigations.  We will not come to any conclusions before that,” he said.

Local media reported that the dead body was discovered at about 5:30pm on Saturday (December 22).

Hours after the body was found Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz left a message on the social media site Twitter stating: “Police is investigating the suicide case.”

According to media reports, the deceased was discovered in an apartment in Chandhanee House in Maafannu Ward where the current housing minister is said to reside.