Man Fined MVR 33,000 for Ignoring Police Order and Tampering with Traffic Cone

A man has been fined MVR 33,000 by the Criminal Court for refusing to stop when ordered by police and for tampering with road safety equipment in Male'.

The individual, Hassan Aleem Zuhury from S. Hithadhoo, was sentenced on July 1 in connection with an incident that took place on December 22, 2021. According to court documents, Aleem had been riding a motorcycle when his passenger removed a one-way traffic cone from the road. Despite police officers ordering them to stop, Aleem continued driving.

Incident Captured on Video

While Aleem acknowledged that he had been operating the motorcycle at the time, he denied the charges, claiming he was unaware of the police's instructions to stop. However, officers presented video footage during the trial which, according to the court’s ruling, clearly showed Aleem’s motorcycle being stopped briefly before he drove away in defiance of police orders.

The footage served as key evidence in securing a conviction for deliberately obstructing law enforcement officers in the execution of their duties.

Sentence Reduced Due to Prior Custody and Financial Burden

The charge carries a minimum sentence of six months in prison. However, the court took into account that Aleem had already spent 15 days in remand. As a result, the prison term was reduced to five months and 15 days.

Aleem, who is currently employed, appealed to the court for a more lenient sentence, citing personal and financial responsibilities. In delivering the verdict, the judge noted that the offence, while not minor, does not rise to the level of a serious criminal act. The judge further observed that enforcing a prison sentence in this case would create unnecessary financial and administrative strain on state resources.

Given these considerations, the court opted to commute the prison term to a monetary penalty. Aleem was fined MVR 33,000 and was instructed to make the payment to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) within six months.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying traffic rules and cooperating with law enforcement. Tampering with road safety equipment and failing to comply with lawful police orders not only endangers public safety but can also lead to significant legal consequences.