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Villa companies were included in MIRA list of court cases not because Villa has to pay anything!

Villa companies were included in MIRA list of court cases not because Villa has to pay anything!


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Previously Maldives Inland Revenue Authority stated that some of the companies of Villa Group were included in the list of companies which owe money to Mira because the tourism ministry ordered to collect money from the companies.

When questioned about the inclusion of Villa Group companies in the list, an official of Mira stated that they included Villa Group companies based on a letter sent to Mira by the tourism ministry. The official stated that it is the legal responsibility of Mira to act in this manner if requested by a state institution.

When asked whether Mira ensured whether Villa Group really have to pay this money, the official said that Mira only calculates money directly owed to Mira and that in this case Villa Group owes money to tourism ministry.

Tourism Ministry terminated an agreement they made with Villa saying that Villa violated the agreement. Some of the money they are asking for includes taxes and rents for future dates even. When the state filed these cases at the Civil Court, the Civil Court ruled in favor of Villa. However when the cases were appealed at High Court, the government won. At the moment these cases are going on in the Supreme Court.

High Court’s decision was very different and unexpected from the Civil Court rulings. The lawyers of Villa stated that they are ready to go on a public debate with the state lawyers.

It should be noted that Villa also won the “Ran Laari Award” of Mira which is an award given to companies which pays taxes ant rent on time. The award was handed over to Qasim Ibrahim the chairman of Villa, by President Yameen himself.

Since the government has all the power now they can do whatever they want. In a gathering in which Tourism Minister Zameer was present the AG Anil said that court cases will finish in a way that they want. So, it is clear how the High Court made their decisions.