The High Court has accepted an appeal filed by former Controller General of Immigration, Shamaan Waheed, who was arrested and ordered to remain in custodial remand over allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

Shaman, along with two other officers, was arrested on 22 March in connection with an immigration case involving the release of a foreign national who had been detained during an immigration raid. The individual was reportedly released on Shamaan’s instructions after a large sum of money was allegedly collected from him.

Following the verdict, Shamaan filed a petition with the High Court on 27 March challenging the decision. However, the Registrar of the High Court initially refused to entertain the appeal. In response, Shamaan submitted a formal request for a review of the Registrar's decision. Upon review, a panel of three High Court judges ruled to overturn the Registrar’s rejection, stating that the appeal raised a valid legal issue warranting further examination.

After completing his initial 15-day detention, Shamaan was once again presented before the Criminal Court, which ordered his continued remand pending further proceedings.

According to police reports, the arrested officers, who were tasked with tracking and detaining undocumented migrants, allegedly abused their authority by raiding a residence housing migrant labourers. During the operation, a group of foreigners and a significant amount of cash were reportedly taken from the premises. The following day, it emerged that a foreign national detained with MVR 530,000 in his possession had been released in the early hours under Shamaan's orders.

A subsequent police raid on Shamaaan’s residence uncovered a large amount of local and foreign currency, including MVR 257,475 and USD 10,000, as well as other foreign currencies and electronic devices suspected to have been obtained from foreigners.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing, and Shamaan will remain in judicial custody until further court orders.