RaajjeTV asks Court to review cases reg. 2013 arson attack and MVR 500K fine
Both cases were filed earlier in October
RaajjeTV's main studio was set ablaze by a group in October 2013
Following Civil Court Registrar's decision to throw out the two cases filed by RaajjeTV, the station has asked the Court's chief judge to review the Registrar's decision.
Earlier this month, RaajjeTV had filed a lawsuit against the Maldives Police Service (MPS) seeking MVR 11.65 million in damages over the 2013 arson attack, and over the MVR 500,000 fine imposed on the station by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC).
The station's lawyer Mohamed Nishan said that both cases were accepted by the counter.
The police negligence case over the arson attack was dismissed after referring to a case submitted by Hussain Rasheed, father of slain blogger Yameen. The pro-democracy activist was stabbed to death in the early hours on the 23rd of April.
The case filed in May was dismissed in September, with the Court claiming that it does not have the jurisdiction to hear the negligence suit as the National Integrity Commission- the oversight committee for law enforcement officers- is tasked with investigating police misconduct and negligence.
The second case filed by RaajjeTV, regarding its latest fine, sought to nullify MBC's decision, highlighting that it had violated judicial and legal means.
A letter sent to RaajjeTV by the Civil Court stated that any case concerning a defamation suit can be reviewed by a Court only after the fine is paid up. This, the letter noted, was clearly stipulated is clause 32 (a) of the Defamation Laws. Civil Court letter added that as there was no proof that RaajjeTV had paid the fine, the Court cannot accept and register the case.
