The High Court has upheld the decision to dismiss the arrest case of Ali Nadheem, widely known as Nadhama, who was taken into custody during the police’s large‑scale Operation Alimagu.
The arrest case was initially dismissed by the Assistant Registrar of the High Court. A three‑judge bench has now ruled that the dismissal was made correctly.
While the arrest case was rejected, the High Court accepted Nadhama’s remand appeal, and hearings on that matter have begun.
Nadhama’s remand was extended, and the hearing was held behind closed doors. His lawyer, Ibrahim Shameel, said he only learned after the session that the remand hearing had been conducted in secret.
Shameel argued that the secrecy was unconstitutional, noting that neither the judge nor the police indicated during the hearing that such a request had been made.
“We believe that a trial conducted by depriving a fundamental right will not be valid,” he said.
The next hearing in the remand case is expected to take place soon.
Police arrested 10 individuals across 10 locations under court orders issued for Operation Alimagu. Several suspects, including Nadhama, were taken into custody earlier this month, and Nadhama was remanded for 30 days.
According to police, the investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering linked to the network began in March. Officers say the group has been involved in drug trafficking since 2017.
Police also revealed that more than MVR 19 million was transferred through the accounts of four members of the Hithadhoo‑based network over the past five years.
Nadhama, who played a leading role in the Addu campaign supporting the current administration, was appointed senior political director at the Sports Ministry last year.