Kadhdhoo crash: Court orders MVR 1 million diya, jail for unlicensed rider

The Fonadhoo Magistrate Court in Laamu Atoll has sentenced a man who caused a fatal motorcycle accident in Kadhdhoo, ordering him to pay MVR 1 million in diya (blood money) and serve prison time on two charges. The court found Mohamed Naushan of L. Fonadhoo, Hoaravillaa guilty in connection with the accident on 15 August last year. At around 19:18, Naushan — riding without a licence at high speed on the Laamu Link Road, with a pillion passenger — hit two pedestrians crossing towards Kadhdhoo harbour at the junction near the Kadhdhoo Iskandharu Airport terminal road. L. Maavash/Ethuma resident Mariyam Moosa, who was struck by the motorcycle, succumbed to her injuries at 22:12 that night. The other pedestrian, AA. Himandhoo/Gulf resident Abdussalam Hussain, suffered serious injuries. Naushan pleaded guilty in both cases under agreements with the Prosecutor General's Office. On the charge of culpable negligence causing death under Article 111 of the Qanoonul Uqubaat, the court imposed a three-year prison sentence. After deducting the one year, two months and 10 days he had already spent in detention, he must serve one year, nine months and 20 days. He was also ordered to fast for 60 consecutive days as kaffarah and to pay MVR 1 million in diya to the deceased's heirs through the Civil Court within 36 months. In the second case, on the charge of causing injury under Article 120, he was sentenced to nine months and 18 days in prison. Chief Magistrate Ali Shareef of the Laamu Judicial District delivered both verdicts separately.