A case has been filed at the Civil Court, seeking to lift suspension imposed on the councilors of Gaafu Alifu atoll council, for meeting with a foreign official.

Three members of the atoll council were slapped with a three-month suspension last week, after their meeting with Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra.

They were suspended hours after the controversial order by the Local Government Authority (LGA), banning councilors from meeting foreign diplomats and organizations without prior permission.

The case was filed at the Civil Court by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds majority seats in the Gaafu Alifu atoll council.

According council member Hussain Adam, the case seeks to lift the suspension, and for them to be allowed to continue work whilst the case is at court.

Adam added that the case filed against the Local Government Authority, has been accepted by the court as well.

The LGA circular was issued on December 11, not long after British Ambassador James Dauris’ visit to Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. His Indian counterpart was touring Gaafu Alifu at the time.

Following the order, Dauris said that this is 'the latest unfortunate step in the Maldives', while US Ambassador Atul Keshap called it ‘a further restriction on democracy and transparency’ in the country.