Presidential Commission Announced to Investigate the Case of Yumnu Rasheed Amid Growing Public Outcry

Male’, — Under mounting public pressure and five consecutive nights of protests, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu late Saturday announced the formation of a special presidential commission to investigate the case of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, a 21-year-old woman who fell from a ninth-floor apartment under suspicious circumstances on 18^th of this month.

The commission — established under Article 115(c) of the Constitution — will be chaired by former Attorney General Dr. Mohammed Munawwar, and includes orthopedic specialist Dr. Mohamed Habeeb and former Vice Chief of Defense Force Ahmed Mohamed. Tasked with conducting an independent and credible investigation, the commission has been granted sweeping powers, including the ability to summon witnesses, compel the production of evidence, seek court orders, and, if necessary, enlist foreign experts to assist in the inquiry.

The special decree, issued 27th April, comes nine days after Yumnu’s fall on April 18 — and after the country’s Gen Z-led protests showed no signs of abating.

While many welcomed the move, others quickly noted what was missing: not a single woman on the commission. Given that the case centers on a young female victim, critics argue the panel lacks the kind of representation that would build public trust.

The young woman’s fall — from the ninth floor of Henveiru ward’s Fentenoi building onto the roof of an adjacent house, Mitazge — has become a lightning rod for a generation fed up with what they see as an entrenched culture of impunity for the powerful. She was initially treated in Malé and flown to Malaysia for advanced medical care on April 26, with support from both the government and public crowdfunding.

Yet what has captured the nation’s attention is not just the tragic circumstances of her injuries, but the company she kept that night: eight others, including Daud Ahmed Zilal, a senior official at the President’s Office, and two nephews of Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen.

Police arrested Raud Ahmed Zilal, Daud’s brother, and have said they are investigating others — including Izdian Mohamed Maumoon, another President’s Office staffer dismissed five days after the incident. Daud, who serves as Undersecretary for Digital Strategy and chaired the Youth Advisory Council, was suspended without pay. Still, many see the official response as little more than a cosmetic gesture.

On social media, hashtags like #JusticeForYumnu, #DhulehNukuraanan (“will not let it go”), and #Impunityuptomother have exploded, with posts on X racking up tens of thousands of views. One widely circulated post accused the government of letting Daud “keep his living allowance,” calling it a taxpayer-funded “slap on the wrist.”

“This isn’t just about one girl anymore,” wrote one user in a post viewed nearly 14,000 times. “It’s about the rot at the top.”

Night after night, young Maldivians — mostly in their teens and twenties — have filled the streets around the Adam Haleem Criminal Investigation Building, better known as Henveiru Police Station. Armed with placards, chants, and smartphones, they are demanding a full accounting of what happened to Yumnu — and refusing to be placated by suspensions or apologies.

The movement, has instead been fueled by online coordination and a fierce sense of grassroots identity. A viral post by user Aliixxath rallying protesters for an April 26 gathering captured the sentiment: “No flags. No politicians. Only justice.”

The hashtags have become rallying cries. #Daud now has over a thousand plus posts focused on the suspended official. #Ameen, while less voluminous, points to Transport Minister Ameen’s tangential connection via his nephews and the building where the fateful party first convened. #Impunityuptomother — a biting phrase suggesting the depth of privilege — has clocked nearly 15,000 posts.

The police have not helped their own cause. Criticized for releasing selective CCTV footage — showing Yumnu and Raud engaging in “indecent acts,” according to authorities — the move was seen by many as an attempt to tarnish rather than pursue accountability. The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) swiftly condemned the disclosure and confirmed it was investigating allegations of police negligence and potential interference by politically connected figures. Shortly before the resignation of the Commissioner of Police, the Prosecutor General’s Office also rebuked the police, calling for an investigation into any negligence or misconduct in the handling of the case.

Adding to the swirling speculation: Yumnu had previously given a whistleblower statement in a 2021 rape case, raising fears among activists that her fall could be connected to past retaliation — though officials have not presented evidence to support that theory.

Several members of the Youth Advisory Board have resigned in the wake of public demonstrations demanding justice for Yumnu. Some members cited solidarity with the youth-led protests as their reason for stepping down, underscoring the growing pressure on institutions to respond to public outrage over the case.

Perhaps most telling is the open distrust that now defines the relationship between citizens and the state. Posts on X have tagged international organizations like the United Nations and CNN, a plea for outside attention in a country grappling with its democratic promises.

As the newly formed presidential commission prepares to begin its work, it faces a daunting test: not just uncovering the truth about a single tragic night, but trying to restore public faith in institutions many believe have failed them for too long. For now, the hashtags — and the anger behind them — are not going anywhere.