Bodies of two inmates who died while serving their sentences, transported to India for autopsies
The police have decided to conduct autopsies on two individuals who died in custody, following new government regulations mandating such procedures for all deaths in detention; however, both families have expressed their opposition to the decision.
Both inmates were serving their sentences at Hulhumale' Prison. | Sun Online | Sun Online
The bodies of two inmates who died this month while serving their sentences under the custody of the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) have been transported to India for autopsies.
Hassan Niyaz, 45, S. Hithadhoo, who was serving a lengthy sentence at the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) Hulhumale’ Prison, passed away on February 2 while receiving treatment at Hulhumale’ Hospital. On the same day, Ibrahim Suhail, 53, registered under Dhaftharu No. 439, who was also serving a sentence at the Hulhumale’ Prison, died while admitted for treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
Following the current administration's implementation of a mandatory autopsy policy for deaths in custody, the police have decided to conduct autopsies on the bodies of the two individuals. However, both families have expressed their opposition to the procedure.
When questioned by RaajjeMV regarding the matter, a police media official stated that the bodies of Niyaz and Suhail were transported to India on February 11, 2026, to undergo autopsies. The official further noted that the bodies will be returned to the Maldives following the procedures, after which they will be handed over to their families.
According to reports, Niyaz passed away in Hulhumale' Prison less than a week after he began serving his sentence. Some media outlets, citing his family, reported that he was discovered collapsed inside his cell's bathroom with visible injuries on his body.
Furthermore, authorities stated that Suhail passed away after his condition deteriorated while receiving treatment for pneumonia at IGMH. According to the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS), he had also been undergoing treatment following a stroke in 2025.
