Review Sought of Supreme Court Registrar's Rejection of Rasmale–Eagle Hills Case

Former MP and legal counsel Ali Hussain has filed a request with the Supreme Court bench seeking a review of the court registrar's decision to reject a constitutional case challenging the government's agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills for the Rasmale development. The case concerns an agreement between the Infrastructure Ministry and Eagle Hills under which 500 hectares of land in Rasmale, reclaimed from K. Fushidhiggaru lagoon, would be given to the company for 99 years without a lease acquisition cost or rent. In his case, Ali Hussain argued that the arrangement violates Article 250(a) of the Constitution, and that provisions allowing third parties who buy or inherit developed properties to receive an additional 99-year term are contrary to Article 251(a) and (b). He is seeking to annul the entire agreement and has also requested a temporary order suspending its implementation until the case is decided. The case was initially rejected by the Supreme Court registrar, who determined it was not the type of case that can be filed directly at the Supreme Court as a first-instance matter. Ali Hussain said on X that he has now submitted the matter to the Supreme Court bench to review the registrar's decision. The government is working to sign the agreement with Eagle Hills next month. A commercial terms agreement has been reached, under which the main agreement is to be signed within 60 days. Before that, amendments to existing laws and the passage of a real estate act for the project are required.