Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Sinan has paid off his debts after a petition was filed in the Supreme Court to disqualify him.
The petition filed by Ghalib Saleem last week noted that the Constitution stipulates MPs would lose their seat if they fail to repay a proven debt.
The case involves a joint loan of MVR 3.8 million from the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB). According to the petition, MIB filed a lawsuit on July 21, 2024, for breach of loan repayment agreement.
Hithadhoo Magistrate Court issued a ruling on October 14, 2024, ordering to pay the unpaid MVR 2.5 million in six months. However, Sinaan and his co-borrowers did not pay the money within six months.
Some sources told Adhadhu that the ruling party MP has now paid off his debt and that MIB has withdrawn the case.
Sinan and MIB could not be reached for comment. Sinan did not respond to phone calls or messages.
If convicted, Sinan will become the first disqualified MP from the 20th People's Majlis.
But this will not change the ruling party's absolute majority as there are currently 75 People's National Congress (PNC) MPs in the 93-member parliament.
