Renowned tourism entrepreneur Dr. Sunny Umar now finds himself at the center of a grave scandal — accused of sexually abusing children within his in-laws’ family, and reportedly confessing the act privately. By dawn today the shocking allegations had exploded across social media. By the morning he had boarded Air India flight AI 2240 and fled to New Delhi.
Dr. Umar is widely recognised in Maldives as the driving force behind THE TRAVEL GUYS Pvt Ltd. His company publishes popular tourism titles such as TRAVELUTION, Maldives Halal Travel, The Island Post, and runs a travel agency under the Maldives Halal Travel brand. Until today he enjoyed status and influence in both tourism media and business circles.
Under Maldivian law the offense he faces is among the most serious. The Sexual Offences Act (Act 17/2014) clearly criminalises sexual acts with minors. Conviction under the law carries prison sentences ranging from 7 to 15 years.
With Dr. Umar now outside Maldives, enforcement and prosecution face additional complications. However, bilateral cooperation remains possible under the Maldives–India Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, signed in 2019, which enables sharing of evidence and legal coordination in criminal cases.
As this scandal unfolds, Maldives’ tourism and media industries are suddenly shaken by allegations of betrayal, abuse, and escape — casting a dark shadow over a figure once celebrated as a tourism icon. Authorities and the public now wait for justice, answers, and accountability.
