The Supreme Court registrar has decided not to accept a constitutional case seeking to halt the government's decision to give 500 hectares of land in Rasmalé to UAE-based company Eagle Hills.
The case was filed by lawyer Ali Hussain. The registrar said it was rejected because it is not the type of case that can be filed directly at the Supreme Court as a court of first instance. However, a request can be submitted to the Supreme Court bench within 14 days to review the decision.
In his case, Ali Hussain argued that the Maldives has no legal framework for giving land to a foreign company for 99 years without an acquisition cost or rent, and that the decision therefore contravenes Article 250 of the Constitution.
The government has signed an agreement with Eagle Hills to develop the USD 20 billion "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project in Rasmalé. Some have raised concerns that Israelis could buy property in the project, but the government and the company have given assurances that there is no such risk.
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