SC schedules appeal filed by Maumoon over liability of DRP debt

Supreme Court has scheduled a case filed by former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom over being held liable for debts incurred by the first political party he had formed, Dhivehi Rayyuthinge Party (DRP).

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) filed a lawsuit against DRP’s first leader, Maumoon, to recover MVR 1.1 million in outstanding dues for a service provided to the party after DRP was desolved by the Elections Commission (EC).

Civil Court ruled that Maumoon cannot be held liable for the debt.

Subsequently, MTCC appealed the case to High Court. Maumoon requested to the High Court to declare the case cannot be reviewed. However, the High Court decided to proceed with the case.

As such, Maumoon appealed the High Court’s decision with the Supreme Court back in last year’s April.

Supreme Court has scheduled the appeal for 9:00am on Wednesday. The case will be overseen by Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, Justice Aisha Shujoon and Justice Mohamed Ibrahim.

Maumoon has been vocal regarding his views that he should not be held liable for debts incurred by DRP.

According to the Civil Court judgment in the case, a third party can only be held liable for DRP’s debt if they agree to it. Since Maumoon denies responsibility for the debt, the Court said he cannot be held liable for it.

Maumoon had founded DRP, as the party’s leader. He went on to run in the 2008 presidential elections as a DRP candidate. But he left the party following conflicts with its then-leader Thasmeen Ali. The decision by Maumoon to leave DRP created a rift within DRP – leading to the formation of Progressive Party of Maldives – founded by Maumoon and joined by his loyalists within DRP.

He was later ousted from PPM following conflicts with his half-brother, former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, and founded Maldives Reform Movement (MRM).

DRP was dissolved by EC for failure to meet the legally mandated 3,000 members.