News

High Court halts Civil Court order for MVR 1.8 mln compensation

The High Court has stayed the enforcement of a Civil Court order to pay MVR 1.8 million in compensation to a man who was unlawfully dismissed from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

Ali Waheed was dismissed on November 25, 2013, during former President Abdullah Yameen’s administration, after he requested retirement following 30 years of service in the army. The Supreme Court later ruled that his dismissal was illegal, leading to his reinstatement in November 2020 and an order for compensation.

Although reinstated in November 2020 following the Supreme Court ruling, Ali Waheed filed a case in the Civil Court seeking MVR 2.1 million as compensation, as he had not been compensated as per the Supreme Court's initial ruling. However, the Civil Court ordered the state to pay less than the amount requested by Ali Waheed. The Civil Court today ordered the state to pay him a slightly lower sum of MVR 1.8 million, covering his salary and allowances up until his reinstatement. The court had ordered the state to pay the amount by Wednesday of the following week.

Civil Court Judge Adam Zalif ruled that the state should pay MVR 1.8 million in compensation to Ali Waheed, including his salary and allowances until the date of his reinstatement, and Judge Sinaan Ali ordered the payment before Wednesday. The High Court has now issued a stay on the Civil Court’s order, pending further review. The High Court's decision was made by a panel of three judges.