Man slapped with MVR 10,000 fine for alcohol consumption

The Criminal Court has ordered a man from Sh. Milandhoo to pay a fine of MVR 10,666.67 for consuming alcohol.

The man was arrested from Salasa, a house located in the Maafannu district of Male’ City, on August 24, 2023, for consumption, possession and sale of narcotics. But during interrogation, he confessed to occasional consumption of alcohol.

Based on this confession, the state charged him with consumption of alcohol under Section 616 of the Penal Code – which carries a sentence of up to one month and six days in prison.

He pled guilty to the charge, and told the court that he consumed alcohol “around three times” because he “fell in with the wrong crowd.”

He also told the court he had been clean for the last two years.

He asked for leniency in sentencing based on his confession, telling the court that he looks after his wife and child, and his mother, who is sick.

He asked for a fine instead of a prison sentence.

During sentencing on Thursday, the judge noted that the defendant has held a MVR 20,000 job since last year, and said that the fine must be based on his income. The judge also noted that he had no prior criminal record.

The judge sentenced him to 27 days in prison and 40 lashes. But the prison term was reduced to 16 days based on time already served in detention. And then the sentence was converted to a fine of MVR 10,666.67.

He was instructed to pay the fine within one month.