A 27-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of grooming and sexually assaulting a minor, in a case that has drawn widespread public attention.

Police confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody at Velana International Airport upon arrival in the Maldives, after reportedly spending several months in India. Authorities stated that the arrest relates to allegations of child abuse that first surfaced months ago. An investigation is ongoing.

While police did not release the name of the suspect, he has been identified as Ali Aflah, owner of Brightminds Online Tuition Service, which operates under Brightminds Education Pvt Ltd.

Brightminds has been conducting online tuition classes across the country, with hundreds of students enrolled. The company has also organized programs for school students and sponsored various school activities, giving it a visible presence within the education sector.

According to available records, Aflah transferred all his shares in Brightminds Pvt Ltd to his brother and sister-in-law in September last year, during the period in which the case was under scrutiny.

The Maldives Police Service confirmed that a 27-year-old man was arrested in connection with an alleged child abuse case but did not provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

This marks the second arrest related to alleged child abuse within the past two weeks.