A policeman arrested in a drug case who declared during a High Court hearing in August that he never took his oath as a member of the police force, has dropped the petition he filed with the Supreme Court over his re-arrest.
The policeman in question was rearrested in August after the High Court found him guilty of perjury. He had appealed his detention with the Supreme Court on August 30.
But the court’s registry now shows the case has been dropped at his request.
Mohamed Sajid, a police constable stationed at his home island of GDh. Thinadhoo, was arrested under a court warrant after the police found narcotics during a search they initiated on suspicion of possession of e-cigarettes.
A search of his residence and motorcycle led to the seizure of a high quantity of tobacco, vapes, vape cartridges, and around 191.92 grams of suspected drugs.
When presented before a magistrate for his remand hearing, the Thinadhoo Magistrate Court ordered his release, citing issues with his arrest warrant.
The state appealed this decision with the High Court.
It was during a High Court hearing in the case that Sajid, who joined the Special Police Constabulary in May, claimed that while he attended the oath taking ceremony, he never read the oath out loud as it was administered, and therefore does not believe he ever took his oath as a policeman.
The remarks drew immediate ire from the High Court bench of three who were hearing the case.
Following questions from the judges, Sajid admitted to working as a constable and takings his salary.
The judges rejected Sajid’s assertion that he was not officially a member of the police force, stating it is unacceptable for someone to deny taking the oath after participating in an official ceremony where it was legally required, working in the position for an extended period, and drawing a salary.
The High Court decided he had committed perjury, and needed to be penalized.
He was subsequently re-arrested and detained for 20 days.
Sajid was suspended from the police force following his original arrest.