More than three years after charges were filed, the trial of Zaidhan Mohamed Hashim for alleged fraud remains stalled, the Prosecutor General’s Office has said.
Zaidhan was charged on April 7, 2022, in relation to a case where he allegedly deceived Homework, a hardware store in Hulhumale’, by obtaining goods worth MVR 147,181 using fake payment slips. Two counts of fraud were filed at the Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court.
Over 1,140 days later, the case is still in its preliminary stage. The Prosecutor General’s Office said numerous hearings have been cancelled due to the defendant's repeated absences and the court's failure to serve summons.
A hearing scheduled for this week was also postponed.
Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of one year, seven months, and six days.
Zaidhan also faces separate fraud charges at Criminal Court for allegedly deceiving a Bangladeshi national, Rob Matuba, into exchanging currency and sending a fake transfer slip for USD 1,500 (MVR 28,450). That case was filed in December 2023, but only one hearing has been held so far.
Earlier this week, Zaidhan was arrested again for another fraud case. Police allege he placed over 30 fake orders with Foodies Delivery, sending fabricated payment slips for food worth over MVR 9,000. He is currently in custody under a 15-day remand order.
No other cases are pending against him at the Prosecutor General’s Office.
