News Desk
The Supreme Court Registrar on Sunday rejected a constitutional case filed by lawyer Ali Hussain challenging the government’s agreement to hand over land in Ras Malé to Eagle Hills, ruling that the matter cannot be accepted as a court of first instance.
According to the Registrar’s decision, the case does not fall under the categories that the Supreme Court can accept in the first instance pursuant to Article 11 of the Courts Act. However, under the law, the applicant retains the right to appeal the decision to the bench of Supreme Court judges within 14 days.
Ali Hussain filed the case alleging that the agreement signed on September 21, 2026, between the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure and Eagle Hills violates the Constitution. The suit pointed out that granting land from Ras Malé for a 99-year term breaches Article 250(a) of the Constitution. Furthermore, it stated that provisions allowing third parties who purchase properties developed on the site—or their heirs—to secure an additional 99-year tenure directly conflict with Article 251(a) and (b).
Citing Article 268 of the Constitution, Ali Hussain petitioned the court to declare the agreement and the government’s decision to enter into it null and void. He also requested an injunction ordering the state to halt implementation of the agreement and refrain from transactions that would create third-party rights until the court issues a final verdict.
The deal has drawn heavy criticism following reports that 500 hectares of land in Ras Malé were handed over to Eagle Hills completely free of charge, with no lease acquisition cost or rent. While sales allegedly have already opened for apartments in the project designed for foreign investors to reside permanently, critics have raised alarm over the lack of transparency in the land allocation process and warned that allowing non-Muslim foreigners to settle permanently could open the door for other religions to spread in the Maldives.
The government has defended the transaction, asserting that the project follows standard principles used for resort land leases in the Maldives and will generate unprecedented revenue for the state.
