High Court overturns order to remove India Out banner from Yameen's home

On Sunday, the High Court overturned the Criminal Court’s order to remove the ‘India Out’ banner hung from the residence of the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leader and former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

A large ‘India Out’ banner hung from Yameen’s home H.Dhoovehi and another at the PPM headquarters were removed by Police under a court order on April  21, 2022.

Notably, this took place on the same day President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih issued a decree banning the ‘India Out’ movement after the National Security Council deemed it to be a threat to national security.

Yameen appealed the court order by the Criminal Court at the High Court on May 22, 2022.

 In the High Court’s order dismissing the lower court’s one, it was highlighted that despite the order to remove the banner being issued on the grounds of an action that disrupts peace within the society, Police were unable to specify what that action was.

It also stated that though putting up that banner was said to be criminal, and there was no reason specified when it was asked to be removed from Yameen’s house.

Furthermore, it noted that Police had requested to gather evidence, but it was clear that the only item taken from Dhoovehi was the banner itself.

High Court’s order stressed that when a search warrant is issued, the reason behind it should be specified very clearly.

The judge stated that it was unclear how the Criminal Court reached that order.

During the appeal hearing, Judge Hassan Shafeeu was presiding on the bench along with Judge Mohamed Niyaz and Judge Shaheed.

The High Court’s decision to overrule the Criminal Courts order was made unanimously by all three judges.