The Supreme Court, on Sunday, commenced hearings over the appeal case lodged against the state by Araam Travel Private Limited, concerning the termination of an agreement to develop an airport on Farukolhu, Shaviyani Atoll.
The bench of judges overseeing the case consists of Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Judge Ali Rasheed.
Signed in July 2013, the agreement was nullified by the government over concerns that the project would result in irreversible environmental damages. In addition to the airport development agreement, the government also terminated a contract to lease three islands in Gaaf Alif Atoll to Araam Travel for a 50-year period to conduct resort development.
Although Araam Travels had sought compensation over the matter earlier, both the Civil Court and the High Court concluded that the government's decision to termination the contracts were valid.
In October 2018, the government declared Farukolhu a protected area under the Environment Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (EPPA, Law No: 4/93).
Sign In