ACTING Chief Justice Navindra Singh is expected to rule on June 18 in the legal challenge brought by relatives of victims of the 2023 Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire over compensation agreements signed with the State.

The matter returned to court recently, centering on settlement agreements signed in July 2023 between the State and families of the 13 girls who died in the dormitory blaze.
Compensation was paid and accepted under those agreements, but the applicants are now seeking to challenge their validity.
The applicants contend that the agreements were signed under duress and without independent legal advice. They argue that the circumstances surrounding the signing of the agreements, particularly involving Indigenous families from hinterland communities, were coercive and raise constitutional concerns. The lawsuit also centres on their claims of negligence and wrongful death, alleging that failures in duty of care contributed to the victims’ death.
The State, however, maintains that the agreements remain legally binding, arguing that compensation was offered and accepted by the claimants and that there is no legal basis to set aside the settlements. The State also contends that the claim of duress has not been sufficiently established.
During the hearing, Acting Chief Justice Singh questioned the timeline of the challenge, noting that the agreements were signed and compensation disbursed in July 2023, while the legal challenge was filed more than a year later. Concerns were also raised regarding inconsistencies in submissions before the court.
Following arguments, the matter was adjourned, with the Acting Chief Justice indicating that he will deliver his ruling on June 18.
The May 2023 deadly fire at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory, allegedly set by a student over a confiscated phone, killed 20 children. That student was charged as an adult with 20 counts of murder and is currently awaiting trial before the High Court.