Allegations against Acting CP Farhad are unproven, says Home Minister

The allegations that Acting Police Commissioner Farhad Fikry destroyed evidence in the rape of a young girl that his son was reportedly involved in are unproven, says Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan.

A letter submitted last year to the Parliament’s Security Services Committee by 11 whistleblowers within the police ranked chief inspector and above accused Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad of abusing his powers to destroy crucial evidence in a 2018 case involving the rape of a girl under the age of 18, a case that his son was reportedly involved in.

He was also accused of abusing his power to stop a February 2025 investigation into one of his sons who was arrested from Hulhumale’ for speeding while intoxicated and attacking a police officer who ordered him to stop, and taking out his son’s motorcycle from the police tow yard in violation of rules and regulations.

But despite these allegations, Farhad was appointed on February 18 to serve as acting police chief, following the retirement of former Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen.

Ihusan was questioned about this decision during a press briefing on Thursday morning.

The homeland security minister responded that relevant institutions had investigated the allegations against Farhad, but had not recommended any penalties.

He said that the allegations against Farhad were determined to be unproven.

“If a person is investigated and is not someone who requires to be penalized, then action cannot be taken unfairly or unjustly,” said Ihusan.

Naveen had retired on February 18 after nearly 32 years in the blue uniform. He was appointed as Police Commissioner on June 10, 2025, after his predecessor, Ali Shujau resigned on April 26, and later retired from the police force.

Farhad, along with South Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shameem – had competed against Naveen for the top police post back then.

It had also been Farhad who was originally appointed as Acting Commissioner of Police following Shujau’s retirement. However, the role was taken from Farhad and assigned to Naveen instead, less than an hour later.

Candidates for Commissioner of Police are vetted by the Police Board, and the final appointment is made by the President based on the recommendation of the Homeland Security Minister.