Civil Court issues temporary injunction over land plot awarded to former EC President Zahid under 'Binveriya' scheme
24 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 15:27The Civil Court has issued an injunction preventing the state from reallocating a land plot previously awarded to former Elections Commission President Mohamed Zahid, following the cancellation of his registration. While the state contends that Zahid is ineligible because he is not a native of Male', Zahid argues that the cancellation of his registration prior to a court ruling constitutes a breach of agreement.
Former President of the Elections Commission (EC), Mohamed Zahid. | RaajjeMV
The Civil Court has issued an interlocutory injunction to prevent the Ministry of Housing from reallocating a plot of land in Hulhumale' previously awarded to former Elections Commission President Mohamed Zahid. The order follows a lawsuit filed by Zahid challenging the Ministry's decision to cancel his land registry under the "Binveriya" housing scheme.
In an interim order, the Civil Court has instructed the Ministry of Housing to refrain from selling, gifting, or engaging in any transaction that could grant a third party legal rights over the land plot registered to Zahid, pending a final judgment by the court.
In his lawsuit, Zahid stated that the Ministry revoked his land plot on July 2, 2024, despite the property already being officially registered in his name. He further contended that the Ministry’s decision to cancel the registration without a court ruling constitutes a breach of contract. Zahid highlighted that Clause 11 of the agreement stipulates that the land may only be reclaimed if a court of law proves that the application or any accompanying documents contained false or inaccurate information. He emphasized that no such findings have been established by a court to date.
The Ministry revoked the land registry after a re-verification process, conducted under current regulations, determined that Zahid did not meet the eligibility criteria to receive the plot. However, the state did not present any evidence in court suggesting that he had provided fraudulent information to obtain the land.
The state argued in court that Zahid does not meet the fundamental eligibility criteria to receive the land plot. Officials stated that these plots were specifically designated for native residents of Male', clarifying that records show neither Zahid nor his parents fulfill this requirement.
The state argued in court that the land was allocated to Zahid in violation of established regulations, despite being aware of the circumstances. Consequently, the state contended that Zahid holds no legal rights or ownership over the land in Hulhumale'.
The Ministry of Housing has canceled the registries of several land plots previously allocated under the "Binveriya" scheme. This decision follows a re-verification process which identified individuals who did not meet the necessary eligibility criteria to receive land.
