Supreme Court concludes hearings in MP Sinan's case

Supreme Court has concluded hearings in the case appealing to rule North Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Sinan has lost his seat.

The case was submitted by Qalib Saleem, claiming that ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Sinan has lost his seat due to his failure to repay a loan from the Maldives Islamic Bank as per a court ruling.

In today's hearing, Qalib's lawyer Ibrahim Shiyam said that although Sinan has claimed that the debt was left uncleared because he was unaware of the magistrate court's verdict, the court had sent the ruling to Sinan one day after the ruling had been made. The bank had also sent letters and emails to Sinan in November last year, he said.

Shiyam said that Sinan had paid the debt while the bank had submitted an enforcement case to the court. He said that it can be only considered that Sinan had acted in line with the ruling if he had paid the debt as outlined in the ruling, with the specified amounts paid on each corresponding date.

Shiyam said that the case does not require an interpretation of the Constitution, adding that it is clear that Sinan would lose his seat under the circumstances.

Ali Hussain, also part of Qalib's legal team, said that while the ruling has directed Sinan to pay a specified amount each month, failure to pay in even a single month amounts to failure to abide by the ruling.

Sinan's lawyer Moosa Alim said that Sinan had only learned of the ruling in January, and that he had not been aware of the copies of the ruling sent to him via Viber and email. He said that Sinan had paid off the debt after discussions with the bank, and with concessions afforded by the bank. Further, as the ruling was made in absentia, it is not a final ruling, the lawyer claimed.

Alim went on to say that the bank itself had withdrawn the enforcement case when Sinan had paid off the debt. He said that although the payments were not made each month, the full amount had been paid back within the six months set by the court.

Hearings in the case concluded today, with the Judges announcing that a verdict will be announced soon.

The case is being heard by Judge Aisha Shujune Mohamed, Judge Dr Mohamed Ibrahim, Judge Ali Rasheed, Judge Hussain Shaheed and Judge Mohamed Saleem, with Judge Shujune presiding.

Debt cleared by Sinan on day case was filed in Supreme Court