Dhaandhoo councilor suspended for alleged physical violence

Local Government Authority (LGA) has suspended Vice President of G. A. Dhaandhoo Council, Iqbal Abdulla – who is suspected of throttling a man and physically attacking him.

LGA Media Official, Abdulla Azmeen spoke to “Sun” and said that Iqbal has been suspended for one-month period – starting from this Tuesday.

Azmeen said that Iqbal would still be paid his salary. And said that he had been served a letter informing him of his suspension.

“He was suspended due to an ethical issue. He was suspended for a one-month period,” said Azmeen.

Police had arrested Iqbal and then later released him for throttling an individual who came to the council for a service. The case was even sent for prosecution.

Iqbal spoke to “Sun” on Tuesday and said that Prosecutor General’s Office had decided to drop the charges against him.

He also noted that suspicions laid on him by police and LGA were different.

He said the letter he received from LGA, announcing the decision to suspend him read that he had hit someone on the ear, while police had charged him with throttling and physically attacking someone.

“I was arrested over the issue. It was even sent to PG. But PG has retracted the charges now. So I do not believe I should be given two punishments for the same offense. Because, as I said, I was arrested, my case sent for prosecution, and suspended for a month,” said Iqbal.

He said that he did not find LGA’s decision acceptable.