The court is yet to issue a verdict five months after concluding hearings into a petition alleging Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Sinan had lost his seat for failing to repay a debt.
The case stems from a joint loan of MVR 3.8 million taken from Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB). The bank filed a lawsuit on July 21, 2024, citing breach of the repayment agreement. On October 14, 2024, the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court ruled that Sinan and his co-borrowers must settle the outstanding MVR 2.5 million within six months, a deadline they allegedly missed.
Two hearings were held in the case. The last hearing was held on July 13, 2025.
At the first hearing, the ruling party MP told the court he was unaware about the judgment to pay the debt within six months because it was issued in his absence.
At the second hearing, defense attorney Moosa Alim said his client learned of the judgment on January 22, 2025 and that he immediately negotiated with MIB to reach an agreement on debt repayment.
However, MIB sent the judgment to Sinan via Viber on the day it was issued and Sinan replied less than an hour later. His message read "got, thank you."
If convicted, Sinan could become the first member of the 20th People’s Majlis to lose his seat due to non-repayment of debt.
Article 73 of the Constitution states that if a person has a proven debt and is not paying it in accordance with the judgment, he cannot contest for the post of Member of Parliament and will be disqualified if he is a sitting MP.
The Supreme Court is currently on recess. The court hearings will resume on the first official working day of January.
