Shuhadh's Death: Parents demand retribution as Supreme Court upholds death sentence for convicted
9 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޯމަ 08:37The Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the death sentence of Hassan Fareed for the 2010 murder of Abdulla Shuhad in Fuvahmulah, ruling that the testimony of seven witnesses conclusively proved his guilt. The five-justice bench affirmed the lower court's verdict after the victim's heirs testified that they seek the application of the principle of "a life for a life" in this case.
Hassan Fareed, who was charged with the 2010 murder of Abdulla Shuhadh in Gn. Fuvahmulah. | Raajje MV
The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence issued against Hassan Fareed for the 2010 murder of Abdulla Shuhad in Gn. Fuvahmulah.
Shuhadh was killed in an attack carried out by Fareed on the night of January 27, 2010, at approximately 21:30. The incident occurred while Shuhadh was sitting with a group of people on the boundary wall of a house named Keufinige, located at the intersection of Bodu Fannu Magu and Bahaaru Magu in the Dhoodigan district of Fuvahmulah. Shuhadh succumbed to his injuries the following day while undergoing medical treatment for the stab wounds sustained in the attack.
The state also presented oral witnesses in the case involving the stabbing of Shuhadh. During the lower court proceedings, Shuhadh’s father and mother testified that they seek the application of the death penalty (retribution in kind) in this case.
The lower court's verdict sentencing Fareed to death stated that seven witnesses testified to him attacking Shuhaad. It further noted that Shuhaad’s medico-legal report confirmed his death was caused by injuries sustained to his ribcage. The Criminal Court's ruling detailed that since the charges of murdering Shuhaad were proven against Fareed, and because Shuhaad’s legal heirs—his mother and father—had both requested the death penalty (Qisas), the court had moved to sentence Fareed to death.
The High Court has upheld the lower court's ruling. Consequently, Fareed has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court concluded hearings for this appeal in 2021. However, the case remained stalled for an extended period without a verdict, further delayed by subsequent changes to the presiding bench of judges. With proceedings now resumed, the Supreme Court has summoned the legal heirs of Shuhaad to record their testimonies.
Shuhadh's father, appearing as one of his legal heirs, has testified in court that the family seeks the application of the death penalty under the principle of qisas (retaliation in kind).
The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence against Fareed, following a unanimous ruling by the five-judge bench presiding over the case.
