Information received that head of Maleesha is in Malaysia: Police

Police have said that they have received information that the Head of Maleesha Hajj and Umra Group, Ismail Abdul Latheef, 42, of Aafini Villa, Hulhumale’, is in Malaysia.

Abdul Latheef is wanted by the Police for fraudulently collecting funds from pilgrims wishing to go for Hajj this year.

An Interpol red notice has also been issued for Abdul Latheef.

The Police and Islamic Ministry were summoned to the Parliament Government Accountability Committee today for questioning following failure to apprehend him.

Superintendent of Police Mohamed Riyaz said that efforts are underway to arrest him in collaboration with Interpol.

He said that information has been received that he is in Malaysia, and work is ongoing to confirm this.

Riyaz said that details on this matter will be provided in writing to the Committee.

The official from Islamic Ministry informed that Maleesha Group took pilgrims to Hajj last year, but did not pay the pilgrims’ hotel bill of MVR573,848.

The Group refused to pay the bill after being notified on several occasions to do so, following which the Group’s permit to take pilgrims to Hajj was revoked by the Ministry.

Maleesha Group collected funds from 175 persons this year. Each person paid MVR68,000, resulting in a total of MVR12 million.

The case was filed to the Parliament Government Accountability Committee by Manadhoo MP Mohamed Tharig. The Committee collected the information today, but has not informed its planned course of action in relation to this matter.