Police have launched an investigation after Dr Sunny Umar, founder of Maldives Halal Travel, who runs a travel agency, was accused of child sexual abuse.

Sunny, who owns shares in the PR firm The Travel Guys Pvt Ltd, is accused of sexually assaulting three children in his wife's family.

According to some media reports and widely circulated posts on social media, Sunny sexually assaulted two girls and a boy.

Responding to questions about the allegations, police told the media that the case was not reported, but an investigation was launched under police initiative.

Some reports say Sunny admitted to the crime, but left the country soon afterwards. He is believed to have travelled to neighbouring India.

Following the allegations, The Travel Guys Pvt Ltd has now decided to take over Sunny's shares and remove him from the company.

In a statement on Saturday, the company said the allegations of exploitation and abuse were serious matters.