Saturday’s meeting of parliament’s committee on human rights and gender, regarding the abduction and murder of a 13-year-old boy, was held behind closed doors.

Police early Tuesday morning revealed that the 13-year-old was found dead in the capital’s suburban district Hulhumale’, a day after the abduction report was filed.

While the committee on gender and human rights met the same day, it is conducting an inquiry on how the crime took place including whether the child was provided legal protection and any measures that have been taken.

The committee decided to give the relevant institution’s a deadline of two days to send in required details in writing, and proceed with its work afterwards including questioning officials.

While the committee’s second meeting was held on Saturday as scheduled, it was held behind closed doors as per the requests of members and institutions given that the victim was a minor.

At a press conference held on Tuesday, Deputy Gender Minister Fathmath Yumna revealed that the Family and Child Protection Services had worked with the family of the murdered boy to provide social support to him.

Two suspects have been arrested in relation to the murder, a 17-year-old and 27-year-old. While the suspects have been reported as acquaintances of the victim, Gender Ministry has taken action against four media outlets for publishing content “that cannot be proven”.

The body of the boy, native to Madaveli island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll, was found stuffed inside a suitcase in the lagoon northeast of Hulhumalé Phase II, a region into which entry is prohibited.

While the body was taken to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) for analysis, it has since been sent abroad for a post-mortem examination.