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Supreme Court rules in favor of Villa Group

Shaina Abdulla
19 April 2018, MVT 19:22
Shaina Abdulla
19 April 2018, MVT 19:22

The Supreme Court delivers final ruling declaring that Villa Group does not owe MVR2.9 billion to the state over land lease fees and taxes for the islands which were leased for resort development.

The state had earlier sued Villa Group’s subsidiaries for a staggering MVR 2.9 billion in various unpaid payments, taxes and fees. The government subsequently withheld Villa’s license to import liquor and pork products to its resorts. Customs and the police  also raided the resorts recently, claiming illegal transfer of liquor and pork between them, seizing the liquor stock from Villa's Fun Island Resort.

In the wake of the raids, the state had issued a temporary two-week liquor license for Villa’s resorts. However, the Tourism Ministry seemed to insinuate that the liscences may not be reinstated after the suspension expires, by accusing Villa of lack of corporation in settling all the payments it owes to the state. In a statement released Wednesday, the Ministry warned that all Villa Group Resorts may be shut down as a result.

Meanwhile, in a statement delivered on the 21st of January, MIRA announced that four resorts managed under Villa Shipping had failed to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Green Tax since last year March, amounting to a total debt of USD 5.1 million.

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