Indian chef working in Maldives missing since Jan 27: Family says got no help, Delhi HC steps in

Justice Sachin Datta has also sought status reports from the Union Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs, as well as the Indian High Commission in Maldives. The court also issued a specific direction to the Indian High Commission in Maldives to provide Consular Access to the petitioner, Mujeeb, and his legal counsel, Advocate Zeeshan Khan.

The HC also directed that “in case it is found that Mr Aftab Khan has expired, the respondents are directed to ensure that adequate arrangements are made to perform the last rites of the deceased in the presence of his family members.”

Aftab was the breadwinner of his family, comprising his elderly parents, two brothers aged 25 and 20, and an 18-year-old sister.

A resident of Aligarh, he graduated with a diploma in food craft from Aligarh Muslim University and had since worked at various hotels across Aligarh, Indore, Noida, and Ahmedabad. “His senior at Ahmedabad suggested he consider applying to Maldives as prospects are better. He applied and got through and had planned to work there for two years to gain experience,” said Mujeeb.

Aftab went to Maldives in March 2024 on a work visa, which was to be valid until March 13, 2026. He was to start his employment as ‘Chef de Partle’ at a resort located at Ifuru Island in Maldives.

He was to be married in November, said the family.

His family had been asking him to come to India in February to attend his cousin’s wedding. “But he said he won’t be able to make it because the hotel management wasn’t letting him take long leaves,” said Mujeeb. “We last saw him on March 13, 2024.”

After the call on January 27, Mujeeb and the family’s lawyer, Zeeshan Khan, arrived in Maldives on January 31. In their plea, the family claimed they received no assistance from the office of the Indian High Commission.

They continued to send repeated email requests to the Indian High Commission in Maldives and received an email response on the MADAD portal of MEA on February 12. “As per recommendation received from Mission/Post the case is closed. But it can be reopened in future if needed,” it read, as per the plea.

The family told the HC that till date, despite all efforts, they have “not received a single document from the respondents pertaining to the investigation related to the matter or any evidence in that regard”.

Arguing before the judge on Friday, advocate Zeeshan Khan orally suggested to the court that an SOP to be followed in such cases be framed by the Indian government to ensure fair and impartial investigation, in accordance with relevant treaties.

Meanwhile, the family claimed the hotel, too, has not handed over documentary evidence regarding the snorkeling incident or Aftab’s phone. Justice Datta has now directed Indian authorities “to pursue the matter with authorities concerned in Maldives to retrieve the mobile phone” of Aftab.

“All we can do is hope. We can only hope that he is safe wherever he is,” said Mujeeb.