Abdulla Rasheed’s body flown abroad for postmortem despite family’s objections

The body of the man who died whilst in police custody was flown to India on Monday, despite objections by his family.

Abdulla Rasheed, 43, was arrested in a counter-drug operation from a café near the harbor of GDh. Hoadedhdhoo at approximately 02:15 pm Tuesday. The police hired a private speedboat to transport him to another island. He died en route.

According to the family, Abdulla had repeatedly complained of chest pains when the police had him board the boat, and the officers there dismissed it as an act and denied him medical treatment.

Despite objections by Abdulla’s family – National Integrity Commission (NIC), leading the probe into Abdulla’s death, decided to move forward with the postmortem.

Abdulla’s family had lodged a case with the Civil Court to stop the autopsy, stating they wish for him to be buried as soon as possible, without any further harm to his body. The court ruled against stopping the autopsy on Sunday.

NIC confirmed to Sun on Monday that Abdulla’s body has been sent to India, to carry out the postmortem. They did not disclose when the body will be brought back to the Maldives.

His family were given the opportunity to view his body on Sunday.

Abdulla, who was involved in the sea cucumber business, had lived in Hoadedhdhoo alone. His wife and four children – three girls and one boy - reside in Male’ City.