| Raudha Athif | |
| Birth Date: | 18 May 1996 |
| Birth Place: | Maldives |
| Death Place: | Rajshahi Islami Bank Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh |
| Nationality: | Maldivian |
| Known For: | Vogue model |
| Education: | Hiriya School |
| Occupation: | Medical student |
Raudha Athif (18 May 1996 – 29 March 2017) was a Maldivian Vogue model and medical student who died in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.[1] [2] [3]
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. 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]
Raudha was found dead in her dorm room in Rajshahi Islami Bank Medical College on 29 March 2017. 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". 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. 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]