Journalists have been barred from covering the latest hearing in the Dheebaajaa case.

Monday’s hearing was held at the Civil Court after the state failed to pay the court-ordered fine of MVR 348 million as compensation over the violation of an agreement with Dheebaajaa Investment.

On arriving at the Civil Court, RaajjeTV’s journalists were told by the receptionist that they were not allowed at the hearing.

The Civil Court registrar told RaajjeMV that the hearing was closed-off on the order of the presiding judge and cited the reason as being a special circumstance where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice, as per Article 42(c) of the Constitution.

The Civil Court failed to explain how allowing journalists to cover the hearing would "prejudice the interests of justice."

In 2010, Dheebaajaa signed an agreement with President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration to develop transport services in the northern province, but former President Mohamed Waheed terminated the agreement in 2013.

While the Civil Court ruled in Dheebaajaa’s favor in 2014, the state claimed that the company had violated their agreement and appealed in 2015, resulting in High Court overturning the lower court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court concluded its appeal hearings within seven months and backed the Civil Court’s order for the state to pay MVR 348 million in compensation on March 17.

While the Civil Court is now holding hearings over the state’s failure to pay compensation, the case has drawn much controversy.