Raudha Athif (18 May 1996 – 29 March 2017) was a Maldivian[1] Vogue model and medical student who died in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.[2][1][3]

Raudha Athif
Born(1996-05-18)18 May 1996
Maldives
Died29 March 2017(2017-03-29) (aged 20)
Rajshahi Islami Bank Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
NationalityMaldivian
EducationHiriya School
OccupationMedical student
Known forVogue model

Biography edit

Raudha studied in Hiriya School and Villa International High School in the Maldives. She did an environmental campaign on Maldivian National Television when she was 14.[4] Raudha became known in the Maldives in 2014 after a photoshoot with a Maldivian photographer.[4] She was featured on the cover of Vogue India in October 2016. She started medical school in Islami Bank Medical College in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.[5] She had a scholarship from the Department of Higher Education of Maldives.[6]

Death and controversy edit

Raudha was found dead in her dorm room in Rajshahi Islami Bank Medical College on 29 March 2017.[3] A post-mortem was carried out in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The post-mortem began before her father gave his consent.[7] Her family alleged she was killed by an Islamic extremist for "refusing to wear Islamic clothing".[5] The post-mortem by three doctors concluded it was a suicide. Her death was primarily investigated by Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, who were aided by a visiting Maldives Police Service team.[6] She was buried in Hetemkha Graveyard, Rajshahi. Her funeral was attended by her family members and the Maldivian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Aishath Shann Shakir.[8]

Raudha's father, Mohamed Athif, is also a doctor and disputes her death was a suicide.[9] Her father filed a case on 10 April 2017 against Sirat Parvin, a Kashmiri student and her roommate.[10] On 24 April 2017 her body was exhumed by the Criminal Investigation Department who performed a second autopsy.[11] According to a Criminal Investigation Department investigation, Raudha committed suicide.[12] Her death was investigated by 60 Minutes in Australia who suggested there might be foul play involved.[13]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Classmate sued over Maldivian model killing". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  2. ^ "The family of a model who was found dead in a hostel in Bangladesh believe she was murdered". The Independent. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Bangladesh police overrules model raudha athif's demise as murder". Avas.mv. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Maldives model found dead in Rajshahi hostel". The Daily Star. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Vogue cover model, Raudha Athif allegedly murdered for refusing to wear Islamic clothing". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Vogue model 'murdered over wrong clothes'". NewsComAu. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Autopsy performed on Maldivian model Raudha Athif". dhakatribune.com. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  8. ^ "Raudha buried in Rajshahi town". The Daily Star. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Death of Maldivian model: Father rejects CID findings". dhakatribune.com. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Maldivian model, medical student Raudha killed herself: CID". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  11. ^ "Probe finds Raudha was not murdered". The Daily Star. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  12. ^ "Raudha committed suicide, says CID". The Daily Star. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  13. ^ "60 Minutes team forced out of Bangladesh while investigating model's alleged murder". 9news.com.au. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.