Hithadhoo Magistrate Court has ordered the Addu City Council, to temporarily halt the work being done to takeover the land near Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH).

While the Council has decided to claim the land near AEH for "economical development" with compensation to be given in return, independent parties had filed a case at the court.

The court has in turn ordered the Council to temporarily halt the compensation work, until it reaches a ruling in the case.

A statement released from the Addu Council on July 15 revealed the work to develop the area by asking the residents in the area to evacuate with a compensation offered. Further, those who are not satisfied with this compensation are asked to submit a letter noting their concerns.

The case filed at the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court notes that the Council made the decision to evacuate residents from the area without any prior discussions with the land owners, which the plaintiffs noted was against the law. It also claims that their request to review the decision was rejected, as well as that the Council had opened offices during the government holiday to rush this work.

While the land in question belongs to the state, it has the power over the land even after being issued. However, the state if required to discuss the matter with the land owners, before reaching a decision.

At the first hearing of the land issue case, the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court decided to allow the Council's request to respond; they have since been given five days to respond to the temporary halt order as well as 10 days to respond to the allegations.

While the Addu City Council has faced immense backlash over this decision, it responded that the purpose of obtaining the 44 lands around AEH was for economical development.

The Council also defended its decision, saying that they had acted as per law.