Police to review actions against driver they accused of being intoxicated

Maldives Police Service has launched a review of the authority’s actions against a driver who is suspected of driving a van while under influence.

Viral allegations on social media claim an individual who suffered from a stroke was kept at a police station for six hours after being accused of being under influence.

Police responded to the allegations on Sunday via a message to the media. In this regard, the authority said they received a report of an individual driving a vehicle while under influence at approximately 10:13am yesterday.

They detailed that initial investigation uncovered that the van driven by the individual had been involved in an accident at Fithuroanu Magu in Hulhumale’ and further investigation had uncovered that the van driven by the individual collided into the dividers placed at the bridge connecting Hulhumale’ Phase I and Phase II.

Police said the driver was taken into police custody following the accident and has since been released after their urine sample had come back negative.

As per the authority, they are presently undertaking efforts to review the course of action after the driver was taken into custody. Police affirmed that action will be taken if there has been any violation of protocol or negligence.

According to the post on social media, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) had confirmed the driver suffered from a stroke. It was also detailed that the van had been towed by the Police.