Employment Tribunal orders Amindhiye’s reinstatement

Employment Tribunal has ordered authorities to reinstate Amindhiye (Amindhatha), a custodial worker at a school in Hithadhoo district of Addu City who many believe was wrongfully arrested for sexual abuse of a student, and pay her the salaries and allowance she had been due during her suspension.

Amindhiye, 59, was arrested on suspicions of sexually abusing a six-year-old girl studying at the Sharafuddin School on March 31. She was promptly suspended by the school.

However, the Prosecutor General’s Office dropped the case against her due to lack of evidence, and she was released from jail on April 21.

Amindhiye lodged a case with the Employment Tribunal over her suspension. The tribunal concluded in Amindhiye’s favor on Sunday, ordering the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to reinstate her to her previous post.

CSC itself had concluded that Amindhiye was wrongfully suspended, and ordered the school to lift her suspension and pay her the salary and allowance she had been due during her suspension, back in August.

Amindhiye’s family told Sun the school was refusing to comply with the order.

Amindhiye’s arrest had sparked protests in Addu City, with many residents believing she was wrongfully arrested. They allege the victim identified her abuser to investigators as to her grandfather.

However, the police said they found no evidence to pursue a second suspect in the case.