MIRA seized properties of Treasure Biz International in violation of the law: Civil Court

The Civil Court has ruled today that the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) entered the premises and seized properties of Treasure Biz International Private Limited in violation of the law.

The Civil Court ruling states that there is no legal basis in the Tax Administration Act or the Tax Appeal Tribunal Regulation that can be interpreted to mean that MIRA has the authority to enter premises and seize properties.

The court also ordered MIRA to return the seized properties to Treasure Biz International within seven days.

Following this ruling, Managing Director of Treasure Biz International Fuad Zahir said at a press conference that efforts were made to bring to the attention of the media back when MIRA seized Treasure Biz International’s properties, that this was done in violation of the law; but those efforts were unsuccessful.

Fuad said that MIRA entered their premises under a search warrant issued by the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and MIRA was advised even back then that it does not have the authority to do so under a warrant issued by the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

“Article 274 of the Constitution states that the tribunal isn’t a court. So the entire matter was carried out by MIRA in violation of the law and the Constitution,” he said.

He said that MIRA entered the premises of Treasure Biz International following suspicions that it was conducting business in the Maldives without registering with MIRA.

He said that MIRA’s suspicions were false, and the company had not conducted any business in the Maldives.

Fuad explained that Treasure Biz International Private Limited was established by Treasury for conducting business internationally, and has branches registered in China and Hong Kong and an affiliate branch in Morocco.

“The company does not conduct any business transactions in the Maldives. So MIRA has no reasons behind its suspicions which led them to enter our premises. Treasure Biz does not conduct any business activities of Treasury in this country. There’s no bank account under Treasure Biz, no bills made in Treasure Biz’s name. So they entered our premises in violation of the law,” he said.

Fuad was represented in court by Lawyer Mohamed Haleem. He also shared information with the media to support his claim that MIRA violated the law.

Fuad said that charges will be pressed against MIRA to demand compensation, and also against the police for their participation in this case.