Police required to pay MVR 170,930 for seizing pick-up

The Civil Court has given the police one month to pay MVR 170,930 in damages to a person whose pick-up was seized against the law.

The Civil Court ruling regarding the case on the police seizing the pick-up of Adam Saeed of Finihiyaage, M. Muraidhoo, on 20 March 2012, states that the vehicle was seized illegally by the police.

This claim was denied in court by the State, and the police had said that the pick-up was seized within the powers of the police stipulated by the law.

The ruling states that the police must take responsibility for their actions, as their actions resulted in the disruption of Adam Saeed’s occupation and income for the period the vehicle was taken from him.

Civil Court said that the police should compensate for Adam Saeed’s loss of income for the 102 days the pick-up was seized, which was MVR 180 per eight-hour day, totalling in MVR 146,880. The police were also required to pay MVR 4,050 to fix the broken items when the pick-up was returned to the owner, and MVR 20,000 as the plaintiff’s lawyer fees.

The police have returned the pick-up to the owner following a temporary order by Civil Court.