Maldives Police Service, on Saturday, confirmed former vice president Ahmed Adeeb's arrest and ongoing transportation to the capital city of Male' following his failed escape attempt.

The Hindu reported that the Indian Coastguard escorted Virgo 9, the tugboat aboard which Adeeb attempted to flee on July 27, to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) during the early hours of Saturday and transferred him to the Maldives Coast Guard.

Prior to the exchange, a team of Maldivian security personnel accompanied by Indian officials arrived in Tuticorin Port, Toothukudi and questioned Adeeb.

However, Indian authorities have denied media reports of deportation or arrest, clarifying that the former vice president was denied permission to enter India.

Official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Raveesh Kumar stated, "... since he was not entering India through a designated entry point and did not possess the valid document, he has not been permitted entry into India."

Virgo 9 was halted near the coast of Tuticorin Port on Thursday and the former vice president has remained aboard the vessel since. Adeeb's cover as a crew member was blown by an Indian employee working aboard the tugboat.

The Indian government refused to grant political asylum to Adeeb as requested by his international legal team.

Adeeb's lawyers had requested protection, citing fears of politically motivated charges and past instances of being coerced to issue false statements.

Although all the charges against ex-VP Adeeb were dropped, clearing him from serving a jail sentence of 33 years, the state appealed one case regarding the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) fraud at the Supreme Court. The apex court also imposed a travel ban on Adeeb until the conclusion of the aforementioned case.