Bangladeshi man living illegally remanded over alleged fight with girlfriend

A Bangladeshi man has been arrested for allegedly fighting with his girlfriend.

The suspect, identified as MD Shahawat Hossain, was taken into custody on accusations of engaging in a physical altercation with his girlfriend. It remains unclear whether the woman is Maldivian or a foreigner.

He was produced before the Criminal Court, which ordered him remanded for 15 days. According to the remand order, Shahawat is living in Maldives illegally; his visa expired in July last year.

Shahawat denied the assault allegations. His defence argued that the matter was a personal dispute between him and his girlfriend, and insisted that no fight had taken place.

If an irregular migrant is involved in a fight, they may face charges under two separate laws, criminal offences and immigration violations.

Fighting is an offence under the Prohibition of Intimidation, Possession of Dangerous Weapons and Sharp Objects Act as well as the Penal Code of Maldives. Being a foreigner does not exempt a person from criminal liability. At the same time, remaining in the country without a valid visa constitutes a separate offence.

The involvement of an irregular immigrant in a criminal case is considered a strong ground for deportation. In such cases, police typically arrest the suspect and investigate the assault. If convicted, immigration authorities may deport the individual after the sentence is served, or earlier, depending on the circumstances. Such individuals are usually blacklisted from re‑entering Maldives.