The claim of USD 112 million (MVR1.7 billion) made to the state by World Link Travels (WLT)of which Villa Group is a shareholder, has been appealed ar the Supreme Court.
This appeal is a subsequent effort following two other appeals to the Civil Court and High Court, respectively.
The specifics of the claim concerns the partial succor of the resort development project appointed to WLT by Airport Investment Maldives (AIMS). The resort development project was appointed in 2007 to WLT. However, access to these islands was never granted to the company. WLT estimates damages and losses valuing at USD 112 million and an additional USD 16.9 million that was taken as advanced payments for the islands.
Although the High Court and Civil Court had ordered the state to settle the payment of USD 16.9 million to WLT, the two courts recognized that the state should not be responsible for the damages and losses amounting to USD 112 million.
With the overture of the claim to the Supreme Court, the court is scheduled to begin trial on August 16.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has appealed the state to pay the penalty of USD 16.9 million to WLT. The trial for this is to begin on August 16 as well.
Ownership of the five islands previously leased to Villa Group's owner, Qasim Ibrahim, were withdrawn from him in connection to the WLT matter. According to the state, the settlement agreement made between Villa Group and the state stipulated a zero-claim accord. Therefore, with the notion that these claims made by WLT were unlawful and against the settlement agreement, the state withdrew all islands from Villa Group in 2015.
However, the Supreme Court has issued an order, stating that the withdrawal of ownership of these islands is an unlawful act, as well as recognizing the continuation of ownership of these islands to Villa Group and by extension, to WLT.
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