High Court on Tuesday annulled Civil Court's order directing Public Service Media (PSM) to pay MVR 78.5 million to Business Image Group (BIG) Pat Ltd, and ordered a fresh probe into the case.

The case pertains to a civil suit filed by BIG against PSM for failing to pay the dues to BIG under an agreement signed between Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation and Business Image Group Private Limited on March 6, 2010.

After examining the case, the Civil Court ruled that PSM had to pay MVR 5,644,874.88 as part of the agreement and MVR 78,576,659.88, along with MVR 72,931,785 as penalty for non-payment of dues as per the letter sent by Big to PSM on October 22, 2012.

Civil Court ordered PSM on 6 June 2016 to pay the amount within 6 months to the Court.

On June 8, 2019, PSM filed an appeal in the High Court, saying the verdict was not in accordance with judicial and legal norms.

However, on August 20, 2019, the two judges who heard the case ruled that the appeal could not be admitted on the ground that the appeal was filed several days after the Civil Court concluded the case.

PSM then appealed to Supreme Court seeking a review of the High Court's decision.

After examining the matter, Supreme Court ordered High Court to reverse its decision and allow PSM to go forth with the appeal.

The High Court on Wednesday set aside the Civil Court's order directing PSM to pay MVR 78.5 million to BIG and ordered the Civil Court to reconsider the case.