Liton's murder: Court OKs 30-day extension to Nizam's remand

The Criminal Court has granted a 30-day extension to the remand of the boat captain suspected of murdering a Bangladesh worker who went missing last December.

Mohamed Nizam, 45, Manaaru, GDh. Thinadhoo; and Mohamed Liton, 35, Bangladesh, were reported missing after departing from Vilimale’ on 'Hedhey Kuri', a fuel supply boat, on December 28, 2022. The boat was found adrift off Hulhule’ the next day.

Nizam was arrested from a guesthouse in Male' City on January 3, 2022, on suspicion of Liton's murder.

According to the police, the investigation uncovered Nizam had pushed Liton overboard off K. Galufalhu, leaving him to drown.

The incident took place between 07:00 pm and 08:30 pm on December 28, 2022. Investigators found Nizam stole over MVR 51,000 in cash from the boat.

Nizam, who has been pressed with three charges in connection to the case, had his remand extended by 30 days on Sunday.

The charges:

• Murder with intent
• Theft
• Diamorphine (heroin) trafficking

Police had found 3.2565 grams of diamorphine during a raid on a room Nizam had rented. He is believed to have bought the drugs using the money he stole from the boat.

Liton had worked for Fuel Power; a private business involved in delivering fuel. Liton headed the company’s operations, and was known to carry a large amount of cash.

Those who know them report Nizam has a history of drug abuse and theft. They also believe Nizam could have killed Liton to steal his money.

Liton's body has not been found.