Arafat Hossain, 32, has been deported from Maldives after police could not find any evidence of cat meat in preparing food.

In a message sent to the media, police said the investigation so far has not found any evidence that Arafat prepared food with cat meat. He was deported after being handed over to Immigration, police said.

"The police investigation into the case has been closed as there is insufficient evidence to conduct a criminal investigation against the suspect. The detainee has been deported after being handed over to Immigration," police said.

Neighbours said Arafat Hossain, a Bangladeshi, brought cats home and cooked all day long in Galolhu Ranauraage'aage house in Male'.

Immigration officers entered the kitchen of the house and closed it as part of an operation to track down illegal immigrants.

Following complaints from the public and concerns raised by animal ​​rights groups on social media, samples were taken and an investigation was launched.

Home Minister Ali Ihusan had earlier said that although samples were taken from Arafat's kitchen he was detained over a visa issue.