The State charged Ghufran with consuming alcohol in connection with a traffic accident in which the car he was driving crashed into another vehicle parked near Imaan Mosque in Hulhumalé Phase 2.
During police questioning as part of the investigation, he admitted that he had consumed alcohol before the accident.
Police also found several beer cans inside the vehicle he was driving. He subsequently admitted to the charge during the preliminary hearing.
According to the State, the standard punishment for the offence is one month and six days in prison. However, since Ghufran admitted to the offence, the State argued that his sentence should be reduced by one level, bringing it down to 27 days in prison.
The prosecution also requested that the prison sentence be converted into a fine and that he be sentenced to 40 lashes. Ghufran agreed with the State’s request and asked the court to impose the proposed punishment.
Taking these submissions into consideration, the judge ruled that 18 days of the 27-day prison sentence be converted into a fine of MVR 3,600, while the remaining nine days would be served in prison.
The court also sentenced him to 40 lashes.
