Police have arrested a 44-year-old Nepalese woman after a video showing her performing a Hindu religious ritual in a public place in Hulhumale' was circulated online.

Police said the video came to their attention on 25 July and showed the woman performing the ritual in the area around the bridges connecting Hulhumale' Phase One and Phase Two.

According to police, an investigation found that the woman had been living in the Maldives undocumented since 2024.

She was handed over to the Maldives Immigration after police completed the necessary procedures, police said.

The woman is now subject to action under the Immigration Act.

People arrested and handed over to Maldives Immigration in such cases are typically deported.