Hulhumalé Police temporarily handed over to ACP Ahmed Mohamed

A report containing serious corruption allegations against Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of Hulhumalé Police, Mohamed Dawood, was publicly released today by a subcommittee of the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee. Following this, he took leave, and the management of Hulhumalé Police has been temporarily handed over to Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed.

Although the responsibilities were temporarily assigned to Ahmed Mohamed starting today, it is not yet clear whether any action has been taken against Dawood, whose bank accounts were found to have received undisclosed amounts of money.

A senior police official said that Ahmed Mohamed was put in temporary charge of Hulhumalé Police because Dawood began his leave today. Therefore, he will manage Hulhumalé Police until Dawood returns from his leave and resumes his duties.

The Parliament's Public Accounts Committee revealed today that illicit funds were found to have been deposited into the bank accounts of some members of Dawood's family.

Ahmed Mohamed is an officer who was previously dismissed from his post in 2021 following a decision by the Police Board but was recently reinstated to the police service.

Ahmed Nazim, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chair of the subcommittee that investigated matters related to POLCO, a company run under the Police institution, stated today that money of unknown "source of origin" was deposited into Dawood's account in 2023 and 2024. Nazim added that since police officers are prohibited from engaging in business, Dawood does not own shares in any business.

In addition to this information, Nazim said that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also noted other issues related to the case. However, he stated that this information cannot be disclosed as it is contained within a confidential ACC report.

Nazim noted that the report compiled by the Asset Recovery Commission regarding the MMPRC corruption scandal also flagged deposits into Dawood's account. He mentioned that Dawood 's name, along with Chief Superintendent of Police Ismail Shameem Adam and two now-retired officers, Ahmed Shuhadh and Hassan Habeeb, are on a list of 280 suspected individuals in that report.

Nazim further stated that once the Committee began its investigation into POLCO, information shared by whistleblowers revealed that businessman Hassan Thaufeeq and Dawood were jointly involved in a MVR 10.5 million real estate investment in the name of their wives. This involved constructing a 10-storey building in M. Thalamudhige and profiting from it. He added that a copy of the agreement, which was registered at the Civil Court, was obtained by the Committee, confirming the transaction.

Nazim also revealed that Dawood was found to have purchased an apartment from an apartment building constructed by FW Construction, an apartment valued at MVR 4.1 million. He noted that the full price of the apartment was paid in cash across ten installments.

Dawood was among the officers the Police Board had decided to dismiss in 2021 based on its advice. However, after those officers filed a case in the Civil Court, the court initially stayed the implementation of the decision and later overturned the Police Board's decision, allowing Dawood to remain in the police service until now.