HDC, Police Discuss Ongoing Inquiry into Unlawful Housing Plot Allocations

Officials from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Maldives Police Service (MPS) have discussed the ongoing investigation into allegations of unlawful distribution of land plots and housing units under the ‘Binveriyaa’ and ‘Gedhoruveriyaa’ housing schemes. The inquiry was initiated following accusations that individuals not originally listed as recipients in these schemes had been unlawfully awarded land plots and housing units.

The discussions took place during a meeting between HDC Managing Director Mohamed Mauroof Jameel and Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau. According to police, the meeting served as an introductory session for Jameel, who was recently appointed to his role. The deliberations centred on the ongoing inquiry into the alleged unlawful distribution of land plots and housing units.

The police inquiry prompted the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) to suspend the entire HDC board of directors, with the exception of the chairperson, on 19 December. This Tuesday, the PCB lifted their suspensions.

Jameel was appointed as managing director of HDC following the resignation of Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed on 21 December. The controversy surrounding Rasheed is particularly notable, given that his brother, Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the recently suspended Deputy Managing Director of Malé Water and Sewerage Company Pvt. Ltd. (MWSC), is directly implicated in the scandal.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police raided Rasheed’s residence this Tuesday, seizing several electronic devices as evidence. Travel bans have also been imposed on Rasheed and 19 other individuals.

On 23 December, HDC dismissed several employees connected to the distribution of land plots under the Binveriyaa housing scheme. PSM News learnt that 15 employees were terminated, although their positions and responsibilities at HDC, as well as the specific accusations against them, remain unclear.

Additionally, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a separate investigation into allegations of corruption and abuse of power related to the scandal.