State ordered to pay MVR 300K in damages to Shakir

High Court has ordered the State to pay MVR 300,000 in damages to Director-General of Information Commissioner’s Office, Hassan Shakir Mohamed after Male’ Municipality was found guilty of unlawfully halting construction work in H. Hudhufinifenmaage – owned by Shakir.

Civil Court originally ruled against Shakir – ruling that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to support his claim for damages.

The ruling was contested by Shakir and taken to High Court for appeal.

High Court ruled that State needed to compensate Shakir for the total MVR 120,000 in eight month’s rent he paid as part of his agreement with his contractor after the municipality’s unlawful order to halt construction.

The court ruled that State also needed to pay an MVR 180,000 for the one-year period during which Shakir looked for proper accommodation after the construction was re-started.

High Court has ordered Male’ City Council to settle the compensation within one month.

In addition to being Director-General of Information Commissioner's Office, Shakir is also a member of Maldives Media Council.