High Court upholds 15-year sentence for man convicted of molesting minor relative

The High Court on Tuesday upheld a 15-year custodial sentence against an individual convicted of molesting a minor within his own family. The ruling affirms the original verdict rendered by the Hulhumale' Magistrate’s Court in a case that dates back to 2021.

The appellate bench, comprising Justices Hussain Mazeed, Mohamed Niyaz, and Mohamed Shaneez Abdullah, presided over the proceedings. In accordance with established legal protocols, the case was conducted in a closed setting, prioritizing the best interests of the child victim.

According to the official case report, the perpetrator sexually abused the child while she was asleep. Furthermore, the report indicates that the convicted individual made repeated attempts to pressure the victim's family to withdraw the case, citing concerns for the family's reputation.

This High Court decision comes amidst recent scrutiny of the state's handling of child sexual abuse cases. The prosecution has drawn criticism for withdrawing several such cases appealed in the High Court, citing their "stale" nature due to incidents having occurred nearly a decade ago.