The Civil Court on Monday ordered an interim injunction on executing Malé City Council’s decision to terminate the contract with the previous buggy operator in Vilimalé.
Ninety-9 Holdings filed a lawsuit with the Civil Court after the council terminated its contract in August 2022 and demanded the company hand over the lands leased to them.
The order from the Civil Court said that the private buggy operator sought the injunction because it had made a lot of investments in the land that was given to them. The Civil Court further stated that it was difficult to calculate the damages both Ninety-9 and the City Council faced, and in such circumstances, the court will act according to the precedent set by the High Court to maintain the status quo of the original agreement.
The court’s decision comes after the council has made arrangements to launch its buggy services in Vilimalé. The authority had transported the buggies required for the operation to the island earlier and is expected to launch the service sometime this week.
Meanwhile, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has already begun operating mini-buses in Vilimalé.