Driver involved in dangerous car crash rearrested

The driver involved in a dangerous car crash in Hulhumale’ in July has been re-arrested by the police, within hours of his release by the High Court.

The accident, which took place outside the Vinares apartments in Hulhumale’ Phase II on the afternoon of July 31, involved a speeding car that veered out of control and crashed into a 27-year-old man on a motorcycle on the side of the road.

Ibrahim Ikram, 33, ((M. Land of Garden, K.Male'), is suspected of driving the vehicle. He, along with the two other people in the vehicle, fled the scene after the accident, but were arrested later that evening.

He was remanded in jail pending the outcome of the trial by the Criminal Court.

However, Ikram contested the decision with the High Court, arguing that he was denied his right for legal representation during the remand hearing.

The court ruled in his favor and overturned his detention on Sunday afternoon.

In a post on X on early Monday, Home Minister Ali Ihusan announced that Ikram has been rearrested by the police under a court order.

High Court in dhookolli meeha mihaaru vany court amurehge dhashun fuluhunge hayyarah genevifa! https://t.co/AH8dbyl5FU

— Minister of Homeland Security & Technology (@min_mohst) September 1, 2024

The police have come under criticism over Ikram’s release, especially after the High Court judges who heard the appeal accused the police of lying to them by falsely claiming that the Criminal Court judge had asked Ikram if he wanted a lawyer.

The judges listened to the recording of the remand hearing, and found that at no point was Ikram asked if he wanted a lawyer.

Home Minister Ihusan has said that he will look into the case, and will “take strict action against the party or parties found negligent.”

The police had also arrested the other two people in the vehicle. They are:

• Ikram-ul Rahman, 25 (H. Nooranmaage, K. Male')
• Jinah Ismail (Aazadhuge, GA. Kanduhulhudhoo)

Ikram-ul Rahman was remanded in jail pending the outcome of the trial on August 1, while Jinah was remanded in custody of the police for 15 days. The police have not announced any extension to Jinah’s remand.

CCTV footage of the accident shows the car had veered out of control as it made a hard turn into the road. It hit the grassy road divider and then rammed into the idle motorcyclist who had stopped on the side of the road to pick up his phone.

The force of the impact sent him flying in the air. The video also showed that the motorcyclist hit his head on top of the car before being thrown to the ground.

The car had also taken down a tree on the side of the road before veering to a stop on the pavement.

The victim, a 27-year-old local male, was initially treated at the Hulhumale’ Hospital before getting transferred to the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ City.

His family reported that he sustained multiple fractures.

He had stopped to pick up a call from his mother.

The Maldivian capital has seen an increase in road accidents. The most common causes are speeding and reckless driving.