Passports Seized in Binveriyaa Corruption Investigation

Authorities have suspended the passports of 20 individuals, including senior officials from the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development of the previous administration, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in the Binveriyaa housing scheme.

This action follows allegations that Fazeel Rasheed, the brother of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Managing Director Fazul Rasheed, and another individual used falsified agreements to claim land ownership under the scheme. Reports suggest that Fazeel submitted a request to HDC in July for permits to construct a boundary wall, which was forwarded to the Housing Ministry.

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Those whose passports have been seized include former State Minister Akram Kamaluddin, former Executive Directors Mohamed Areef and Lirugaam Waheed, and the Housing Ministry’s Director General Ahmed Wishan Naseem. Of these officials, only Wishan remains employed at the Ministry.

Fazeel and Fazul’s passports have also been suspended. The passports were held on the order of the Anti Corruption Commission, which has also launched an investigation.

Police Imply Involvement of Former Administration Officials

At a press conference on Thursday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Shareef stated that police had identified irregularities involving three plots of land and had questioned six individuals in connection with the case. Shareef disclosed that all six claimed the forged agreements were issued by officials of the former administration. Notably, Fazeel alleged that he had met with Akram Kamaluddin to obtain the document.

However, Shareef acknowledged that these claims have not been verified as a forensic analysis of the document in question has yet to be conducted.

Following the press conference, police informed the media that the passports of 20 individuals, including Fazeel and Fazul, had been held to prevent them from leaving the country.

Opposition Criticise Professional Conduct of Police

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) criticised the police for publicising claims made by suspects without substantiating the allegations. The MDP argued that this approach undermines professional standards and creates public mistrust.

“Police do not typically disclose statements made by suspects without verification. In this case, the claims were made by an individual accused of forging documents to acquire land illegally. Presenting these claims as fact is not how police have operated in the past,” said Ahmed Mauroof, a former legal staff member at the President’s Office.

Mauroof also pointed out that forensic analysis could determine the authenticity of the document, including its age and the validity of signatures.

Akram Denies Wrongdoing During Former Administration

Akram Kamaluddin has denied the allegations, insisting he did not issue false agreements.

“The system in place did not allow it to be done. I guarantee that no false documents related to the Binveriyaa or Gedhoruveriyaa schemes were issued outside of established procedures,” he said.

Akram accused the police of disseminating unverified claims, suggesting the institution’s actions were politically influenced. “Police should not repeat allegations by suspects without conducting proper investigations.,” he added.

As the former State Minister for the Housing Ministry, Akram oversaw the Binveriyaa scheme during the previous administration. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, he expressed confidence in the integrity of the systems implemented at the time, which he said were designed to identify and prevent misconduct.