HDC goes to Civil Court over termination of Hulhumale’ land registry

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has filed a case at the Civil Court against Male’ City Council – requesting the Court declare the Council’s decision to cancel the land registry for Hulhumale’ and move the suburb to under the council’s jurisdiction unconstitutional. 

The city council had passed the decision to cancel the land registry with a majority vote of 12 councilors during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. 

Speaking to Sun regarding the matter, HDC’s Managing Director Suhail Ahmed confirmed that they have submitted a case to the Civil Court today, requesting that the Council’s decision be declared unconstitutional.

“We are requesting the Court to conclude that this is something the Council cannot do as per the law,” he had said.

HDC said that Male’ City Council’s decision violates the right to property guaranteed under the Maldivian Constitution, Article 24 (b) of the Land Act and the Decentralization Act.

Noting that the company will incur major damages due to the Council’s decision – Suhail said that some loans taken out by HDC was secured based on the fact that Hulhumale’ was under their jurisdiction.

Therefore, Suhail said that this should remain this way.

HDC was awarded the reclaimed land as part of Hulhumale’ Phase 2 for the establishment of flats and other development projects by Housing Ministry, when current Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was the Minister. At that time, Hulhumale’ Phase 1 was already in the jurisdiction of HDC.

The city council's decision had come amid clashes with HDC over the opposition coalition’s event titled ‘Kotharu Koshi’ - scheduled to be held in Hulhumale’ Phase II in the upcoming weekend.