HDC MD and Board Members Suspended Amid Housing Scheme Allegations
The Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, along with all board members except the Chairperson, Ahmed Nasif, was suspended today following allegations of misconduct involving the ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme.
The controversy stems from claims that land plots under the scheme were allocated to individuals who were not listed as recipients.
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In a statement released this morning, the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) announced the suspension, emphasising its intention to ensure transparency in ongoing investigations.
ހައުސިން ޑިވެލޮޕްމަންޓް ކޯޕަރޭޝަންގެ ޑިރެކްޓަރުންގެ ބޯޑުގެ މެންބަރުން ސަސްޕެންޑް ކުރުމާ ގުޅޭ pic.twitter.com/KF67gFpvFw— Privatization & Corporatization Board (@pcb_gov) December 19, 2024
“The corporation’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, has also been suspended and barred from accessing the office until informed otherwise,” the statement read.
The PCB explained that the decision was taken to allow the police investigation to proceed unhindered and to ensure the HDC’s full cooperation with the inquiry.
އެޗް.ޑީސީ އާއި ގުޅޭގޮތުން މޯލްޑިވްސް ޕޮލިސް ސަރވިސަސް އިން ކުރިޔަށް ގެންދާ ތަހުޤީޤަށް ފުރިހަމަޔަށް އެހީތެރިވުމުގެ ގޮތުން މިކުންފުނީގެ ޑީ.އެމް.ޑީ މުޙައްމަދު ފަޒީލް ރަޝީދު މިއަދުން ފެށިގެން ހުރިހާ ޒިންމާ ތަކަކުން ވަކިކޮށް އޮފީހަށް ނުނިކުމެވޭ ގޮތަށް ސަސްޕެންޑް ކުރެވިފައެވެ.— Male' Water and Sewerage Company Pvt. Ltd. (@MWSC_Official) December 19, 2024
The ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme has been a focal point of public interest, aiming to address housing challenges by allocating land plots to eligible citizens. Allegations of irregularities in the distribution process have raised concerns about fairness and accountability in the implementation of the programme.
Police Investigate Allegations of Improper Land Allocation in Hulhumale’
Police are investigating allegations of improper land allocation under the Binveriyaa housing scheme after plots in Hulhumalé were reportedly given to individuals not listed as qualified recipients.
The case emerged when the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) sought permission from the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development to construct a boundary wall on one such plot. According to the ministry, the recipients—allegedly including the brother of HDC Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed—had not applied for land through the scheme.
Documents circulating on social media reveal that HDC submitted the boundary wall application in July. The Housing Ministry subsequently informed HDC that the individuals in question were not registered applicants under the Binveriyaa scheme.
On Tuesday night, a special police team entered HDC’s offices as part of an investigation into the alleged forgery and fraudulent allocation of land plots. Forensic teams are examining documents amid suspicions of falsification.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly condemned the alleged misconduct, accusing the government of enabling corruption. In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the party called for the dismissal of Fazul Rasheed, legal action against him, and the immediate revocation of fraudulently allocated land.
The party also criticised investigative agencies for what it described as inaction on corruption within HDC and other state-owned entities, urging swift legal action against those involved.
HDC Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the allegations. At a press conference on Wednesday, he emphasised that HDC does not determine the recipients of the Binveriyaa scheme, a responsibility handled by the Housing Ministry. Fazul explained that HDC processes applications under the assumption that applicants are legitimate recipients listed by the ministry and initiates a verification process accordingly.
He stated that the plots under scrutiny were flagged by HDC itself and reported to the Housing Ministry for investigation. He provided a timeline of events, detailing how requests for permits for the plots in question were submitted in June and July, with responses from the ministry received in August.
Fazul denied benefiting personally from the land allocations, dismissing allegations as politically motivated rumours. He reiterated HDC’s commitment to cooperating fully with the authorities and asserted that the corporation had not violated any laws.
The investigation continues, with growing public and political scrutiny over the alleged misconduct.
