A man accused of theft has been covered in motor oil by a mob in Haa Dhaalu Hanimaadhoo.

Sources have told One Online that the youth of that island has begun catching thieves in the island and handing them over to the police.

And so a man suspected of breaking into the under-seat box of a motorcycle was caught by a mob and covered in motor oil before being handed over to the police.

Vice President of the Hanimaadhoo Island Council, Hassan Saleem told One Online today that confirmed that a young man was held and covered in motor oil last night. He said that photos of the incident have hit social media today.

Maldives Police Service confirmed the incident and said that an investigation is underway.

There has been a surge of mob justice recently including that to a man accused of sexually assaulting a child in Hulhumale’ and that to a man who stole a case of bottled water from a café in Male’ City along with a man who was accused of sexual assault to a child in public in Male’ City.

Police have strongly advised against such actions of mob justice.