Education Minister sued over late compensation payment to Mandhu College

Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali at a press conference on August 8, 2021. (Sun Photo/Fayaz Moosa)

Male’ High Pvt. Ltd. - the company which operates Mandhu College – has filed a lawsuit against Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali after Education Ministry made the compensation payment to the college past the deadline set by the court.

Civil Court ordered Education Ministry to pay MVR 15 million within one month to Mandhu College as compensation for unlawful termination of contract on April 19.

An official from Finance Ministry said that the compensation payment was sent to the court before the deadline, but the court returned the money back to the ministry, after which the Finance Ministry transferred part of the compensation payment to Mandhu College’s bank amount in June.

Mandhu College’s chairman Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) told Sun on Sunday evening that the lawsuit against the education minister has been registered with the Civil Court.

Male' English School building where the Mandhu College was run. (Sun Photo)

Ibra said that the Education Ministry failed to make the compensation payment within the court-mandated timeframe, and Education Minister Dr. Aishath must bear responsibility for the failure.

“Though it may not be done directly with her hands, it is the minister’s responsibility to ensure the responsible employee or the ministry adheres to the court order. She must bear responsibility for the failure, shouldn’t she?” he said.

PLANS TO SUE FORMER EDUCATION MINISTER

Ibra said that he has also decided to sue former Education Minister Dr. Aishath Shiham. It had been during her tenure that Mandhu College was ordered to vacate the premises of the MES Building where the college was run in 2015. The building now houses Izzuddin School.

Then-Minister of Education, Dr. Aishath Shiham speaks at Top Achievers Awards held for GCE A' Level students at Dharubaaruge on March 4, 2018. (Sun Photo/Fayaz Moosa)

“Both the High Court and Supreme Court have ruled that Aishath Shiham did this knowingly and with ill intent.

The Supreme Court ruled the government contract with Mandhu College was terminated unlawfully back in February.

“This cannot be put an end to after being forced to take taxpayer money. I believe that others will also be more careful once these people are held accountable,” said Ibra.