Criminal Court refuses to remand Lamha, citing lack of risk assessment

The Criminal Court has again declined to remand Halimath Lamha Abdul Rahman in custody, who stands accused in the murder of Mary Grace Oned Pineda, a Filipino nurse employed at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Lamha has previously been released twice after being remanded pending trial. Her first release came in November 2021, which the prosecution appealed to the High Court.

Presiding Judge Hussain Faiz Rashad stated during Wednesday’s hearing that a decision on Lamha’s remand would be made following an assessment of her risk to society. He noted that the prosecution had been instructed to conduct such an assessment but had not done so to date.

Mary Grace’s body was brought to IGMH in October 2021 after she was found dead. Her husband, Marvin SY Vargas, was arrested on October 27 on suspicion of murder. Lamha, alleged to be Marvin’s Dhivehi girlfriend, was arrested on December 16 of the same year.

Addressing the delay in the risk assessment, the prosecution explained that no formal procedures or arrangements currently exist for conducting such assessments in remand cases.

Lamha remains free pending further proceedings, while the case continues to draw public attention due to its sensitive nature and cross-national implications.