Two founders of Haveeru News Agency press charges against chairman

Two founders of Haveeru News Agency have pressed charges against the agency’s Chairman Dr Mohamed Zahir Hussain, claiming that they had not received their share of the agency’s profits.

The plaintiffs are Abdullah Faroog Hassan of G. Koggiri and Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa of H. Meerubahurugeaage.

Presenting the claims in Civil Court today, Guraidhoo MP, Lawyer Ibrahim Riza said that Haveeru news, publishing and other businesses are operated under Haveeru News Agency established on 1 April 1983, following an agreement signed between Chairman Dr Mohamed Zahir Hussain, Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa, Abdullah Faroog Hassan and Mohamed Naeem.

Riza said that the agreement states that the assets and profits of Haveeru News Agency shall be shared equally between the four founders. However, up until today, the business activities of Haveeru News Agency have been carried out by Dr Zahir Hussain and not been shared with the three other founders.

Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa and Abdullah Faroog Hassan have requested to be given one-fourth of the assets and profits of Haveeru News Agency each from the day the agency was established.

After presenting the claims, Riza presented the agreement between the four individuals. He also requested for a court order to halt the business activities of Haveeru News Agency.

He said that this order was requested due to the recent media speculations that Haveeru News Agency was planning to sell its business units, which could harm the rights of its founders.

Dr Zahir Hussain’s lawyer Husnu Su’ood requested for two weeks to prepare a response to the claims.

He argued that there is no need for an order to halt the business activities of Haveeru News Agency, as the sale of the agency would not affect the request made by Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa and Abdullah Faroog Hassan in their claims, which is to be given their share of the profits and assets of Haveeru.

Concluding today’s session, Civil Court Judge Mariyam Nihayath said that a decision on the stay order would be made at the next session.