The Civil Court has scheduled the verdict of the case submitted by the Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed who seeks to stop the removal of road side trees at Ameenee Magu by Road Development Corporation (RDC).
Hearings of the case on Friday focused on the temporary order sought by Nasheed’s legal team. The temporary order, if successful, will halt the process until the court makes a final decision on whether or not the trees can be removed.
Nasheed’s defense, represented by Shunana and Co., argues that other alternatives were not explored before starting to remove the trees and that while it would be possible to develop the road around the trees, removing them goes against the country’s constitution and international treaties the country is party to. Moreover, they also argued that if a temporary order is not granted, the purpose of the lawsuit would be redundant, as the trees may completely be removed by the time a final verdict is declared.
RDC in defence argued that the issuing of a temporary order would cause the company to incur financial losses as the work is being carried out with various parties under contract, utilising equipment which have been rented for a period of time. In detail, he revealed that the loss would go beyond MVR 100,000 per day. Moreover, the removal of trees would not cause any irreparable damage, as these trees along with more would be planted elsewhere.
Presiding udge Mariyam Waheed stated that a final decision on the temporary order will be made on Sunday and that both parties would be notified of the decision.
