High Court rules in favor of Detune Band in USD 29,000 dispute

High Court has sided with the renowned Maldivian band, Detune Band, in their dispute with St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, concerning the payment of USD 29,000 following the cancellation of an agreement to perform at the resort.

The dispute stems from an agreement made in 2022 between the two parties for Detune Band to perform at the resort on a transactional basis during Christmas, New Year, and the Russian Orthodox Festival.

The case was initially filed with the Civil Court by Residency Resorts Male’, the operator of the resort.

Civil Court ruled in favor of Detune Band, citing that the resort had opted not to honor the agreement and subsequently revoked it, despite the band being ready to perform. Detune Band argued that the agreement was revoked in violation of its terms, thereby, demanding compensation.

Civil Court, in its judgment, ordered the resort to pay USD 29,000 or its Maldivian Rufiyaa equivalent, MVR 447,180 to Detune Band. This sum accounts for USD 25,000 in losses and USD 4,000 incurred by the band for the legal proceedings.

The High Court bench, comprising of Judge Huzaifa Mohamed, Judge Hussain Mazeed and Judge Fathimath Faruheeza, who heard the case unanimously upheld the Civil Court’s ruling on Thursday.

Detune Band was represented by one of its lead members, Fathimath Fezleen, during the court proceedings.