The Civil Court has declined to grant an interim injunction to postpone the leasing of Vaavu Atoll's Fohtheyo lagoon.
Following the government's announcement of leasing Fohtheyo, the largest lagoon in the country located in Vaavu atoll, the Vaavu Atoll Council intervened in the decision. The council asserted that the state can only lease the lagoon in accordance with the council's regulations. As a result, the council sought an injunction through the Civil Court to halt the leasing process.
The Civil Court ruled on Sunday, August 6, that according to the Civil Procedure Act, an injunction can be issued in the absence of the claimant under specific circumstances. The court determined that the Vaavu Atoll Council could not provide a compelling counterargument and therefore decided not to issue an injunction against the Ministry of Tourism regarding the lease of Fohtheyo lagoon.
Although the government has not provided any official comments regarding the leasing of the lagoon, it has asserted that the property will not be undervalued or sold for an inadequate price.