Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has filed a civil case against Male’ City Council, seeking that the council’s decision to annul land registration and take control of Hulhumale be declared unlawful.
Following an escalation of tensions between the government-owned company and the opposition-controlled council, the decision to revoke the land registration and seize possession of Hulhumale was approved by a majority vote of 12 councillors, including two members of the ruling MDP, at a council meeting on Wednesday.
But the council’s conduct, according to HDC, violates the constitutionally guaranteed right to land, as well as the Land Act and the Decentralization Act.
Furthermore, HDC filed a request with the Civil Court and the Local Government Authority (LGA) to overturn the council’s decision and advise them to carry out activities in accordance with the law, according to a statement made by the company.
Hulhumale was registered under the ownership of HDC under the Yameen administration, while Male’ City Council Mayor Mohamed Muizzu was the housing minister. However, Muizzu now argues that under the Decentralization Act, which went into force this year, Hulhumale is within the jurisdiction of the council and has demanded that it be brought under the council’s administration.
